U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez | U.S. Department of Justice
A Mescalero man has been charged with multiple counts of sexual abuse following allegations of assaulting a 15-year-old girl. Thomas Lee Chaffins, aged 35 and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, was brought before a federal judge on October 10 and is currently detained awaiting trial.
The criminal complaint states that on September 27, 2024, Chaffins engaged in sexual acts with the minor, identified as Jane Doe. At the age of 15, Jane Doe could not legally consent to such activities with Chaffins. Furthermore, it is reported that she was too intoxicated to remember details of the incident, which further rendered her incapable of providing consent.
If found guilty, Chaffins could face a life sentence.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced these charges. 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 leading the prosecution.
It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
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