Enrolled member of Navajo Nation sentenced to eight years in prison for sex abusive of a minor

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Larry Nathaniel, 65, of Farmington, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced on Aug. 25 in federal court to eight years and six months in prison for abusive sexual contact of a minor in Indian Country. Nathaniel pleaded guilty on Feb. 2.

            According to the indictment and other court records, Nathaniel committed the offense in the family home of the victim in San Juan County on the Navajo Nation on Feb. 24, 2019. Nathaniel held down the victim by the arm and touched her genitalia. At the time of the abuse, the victim was ten years old. 

            Upon his release from prison, Nathaniel will be subject to five years of supervised release and also must register as a sex offender.

            The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Nayback prosecuted the case.