U.S. Attorney, FBI Announce Additional Charges for Alleged Serial Murderer, Kidnapper, and Sexual Abuser Labar Tsethlikai in Ongoing Investigation

ALBUQUERQUE – Federal prosecutors have filed additional charges against Labar Tsethlikai for a series of violent crimes targeting Native American men across New Mexico between 2022 and 2024, including murder, kidnapping, robbery, and sexual assault.

Labar Tsethlikai, 51, an enrolled Member of Zuni Pueblo, now faces an 11-count superseding indictment charging him with two counts of kidnapping resulting in death, one count of first-degree murder, one count of first degree felony murder, four counts of kidnapping, one count assault with intent to commit murder, one count of assault resulting in serious bodily injury, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse. Tsethlikai will remain in custody pending trial. Tsethlikai’s arraignment on the superseding indictment has not been scheduled.

Tsethlikai was previously charged with second degree murder on April 26, 2024.

Tsethlikai is accused of kidnapping and murdering two men, identified as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, in separate incidents on October 22, 2022, and January 18, 2024, respectively.

According to the Superseding Indictment, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 1 on October 22, 2022, and used various public places and transportation methods to carry out the crime. Tragically, John Doe 1 died as a result of this kidnapping.

The indictment further alleges that Tsethlikai deliberately and with premeditation kidnapped and killed John Doe 2 on January 18, 2024. Furthermore, Tsethlikai is accused of killing John Doe 2 while committing or attempting to commit other crimes, including kidnapping and sexual abuse.

In addition to these charges, Tsethlikai faces multiple counts of kidnapping, sexual abuse, and assault involving other victims between 2023 and 2024. The crimes allegedly occurred in McKinley and Bernalillo counties in New Mexico:

• On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 3.
• On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 3 with the specific intent to commit murder.
• On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 3 resulting in serious bodily injury.
• On July 13, 2023, Tsethlikai is accused of kidnapping John Doe 4.
• On July 13, Tsethlikai is also accused of engaging in a sexual act with John Doe 4 by using force and threats.
• On February 16, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 5 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.
• On April 11, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 6 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.

If convicted of the current charges, Tsethlikai faces a mandatory life sentence or death for the kidnapping resulting in death and first-degree murder charges, up to twenty years imprisonment on the assault with intent to murder charge, up to ten years imprisonment on the assault resulting in serious bodily injury charge, and any number of years up to life for the kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse charges.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, led by FBI SA Mark Stephenson, investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department’s Sex Crimes Unit and Air Support Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McGinley, Mark A. Probasco, and Eliot Neal are prosecuting the case. 

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

The FBI continues to investigate Tsethlikai’s involvement in crimes against other victims and seeks information. If you have reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim, or have information about Tsethlikai, please call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or submit tips online at tips.fbi.gov.  Tips based on prior news articles and stories related to Tsethlikai’s conduct have produced information supporting some of the charges featured in the superseding indictment.

Labar Tsethlikai is approximately 5’7” and weighs 180 pounds. He is heavyset, has short brown hair, brown eyes, and wears glasses. It is believed that he wore a gold bracelet. He is from Zuni, but traveled extensively around New Mexico, including Gallup, Albuquerque, and Santa Fe. Prior to being detained, it is believed that Tsethlikai worked in the Native American jewelry industry and was a Zuni jewely artist.

Moreover, prior to being detained on federal charges, investigators believe that Tsethlikai used a gold/brown Chevy Silverado, single cab truck, with dual exhaust, bearing license plate number WNMU0043, in furtherance of his criminal spree.

This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, which aims to aid in the prevention and response to missing or murdered Indigenous people through the resolution of MMIP cases and communication, coordination, and collaboration with federal, Tribal, state, and local partners.  The Department views this work as a priority for its law enforcement components.  Through the MMIP Regional Outreach Program, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify MMIP cases and issues in Tribal communities and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. This prosecution upholds the Department’s mission to the unwavering pursuit of justice on behalf of Indigenous victims and their families.