A Whiteriver man has been charged with two counts of sexual abuse, according to an announcement by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. The indictment accuses Fernando Yatsatie, Jr., 47, a member of the Zuni Pueblo, of unlawfully engaging in and attempting to engage in sexual acts using threats and intimidation between August 1, 2021, and August 31, 2021.
Yatsatie is currently held in custody awaiting trial. If found guilty, he could face a sentence ranging from any term of years up to life imprisonment.
The investigation was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with support from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is handling the prosecution.
Authorities emphasize that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.