Two Plead Guilty to Federal Charges in Connection with Death of a Child

United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that 30-year-old Thelton Andres Riley, Jr., and 30-year-old Leesa Trujillo entered guilty pleas this morning in federal court in El Paso in connection with the death of Trujillo’s 7-month-old child on August 10, 2009, on Fort Bliss.

Appearing before United States District Judge Frank Montalvo, Riley pleaded guilty to one count of felony murder; Trujillo, one count each of involuntary manslaughter and injury to a child. Riley faces up to life in federal prison; Trujillo, up to 10 years in federal prison. Both defendants remain in federal custody. Sentencing is scheduled for July.

By pleading guilty, Riley and Trujillo admitted that while living on the Laguna Indian Reservation in New Mexico beginning in June 2009, they engaged in a pattern of child abuse resulting in broken bones, namely the upper right arm, both legs, and several ribs. The defendants, along with Trujillo’s child, traveled to Fort Bliss on August 8, 2009, so that Riley could receive medical treatment at William Beaumont Army Medical Center. Riley and Trujillo further admitted that they never sought medical attention for the infant, knowing that medical treatment was necessary for the infant and that medical treatment was readily available. Instead, Riley gave the child oxycodone and hydrocodone to keep the child quiet.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation together with the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division. It is being prosecuted for the government by Assistant United States Attorney J. Brandy Gardes.