ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced that Bryon Yazzie, Jr. pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a minor, sexual abuse, and aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country. Yazzie, 21, of Tohatchi, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
According to the plea agreement, between August 2020 and continuing to November 2020, Yazzie engaged in sexual acts with a minor who had attained the age of 12 but had not yet attained the age of sixteen. Yazzie was nineteen years old at the time.
Yazzie faces up to 15 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor and any term of years up to life for sexual abuse and aggravated sexual abuse. Upon his release from prison, Yazzie must register as a sex offender.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case.
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