Brian Begay, a resident of Shiprock and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty on Apr. 9 to charges related to the sexual abuse of a minor over several years.
According to court documents, Begay engaged in a pattern of sexual abuse against Jane Doe from 2015 through 2019. The incidents began when the victim was 12 years old and continued until she was 16.
Begay admitted guilt to charges including sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact. He faces up to life in prison at sentencing.
The announcement was made by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office. The investigation involved the Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department and the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. Project Safe Childhood brings together federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders who exploit children online and identify victims.
