Zuni Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Statutory Rape Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Dalchimsky Begay, 26, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo who resides in Rio Rancho, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a sexual abuse of a minor charge.

Begay was arrested in June 2016, on an indictment charging him with sexually abusing a minor who was between 12 and 16 years of age.  According to the indictment, Begay committed the crime on Feb. 14, 2015, on the Navajo Nation in San Juan County, N.M.

During today’s proceedings, Begay pled guilty to the indictment and admitted engaging in a sexual act with the victim who was between 12 and 16 years of age and was four years younger than Begay. 

At sentencing, Begay faces a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.  He also will be required to register as a sex offender after he completes his prison sentence.  Begay was remanded into custody pending his sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson.