A Mescalero man has admitted to sexually assaulting a minor, as confirmed by court documents. Thomas Lee Chaffins, aged 35 and a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, confessed to the crime involving a 15-year-old girl on September 27, 2024. The incident took place in Otero County, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.
Chaffins is currently detained and awaits sentencing. He could face up to 15 years in prison for his actions. The sentencing date has not been set.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with support from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Alyson Hehr are handling the prosecution.