U.S. Attorney Secures Guilty Plea from Santo Domingo Man in Child Sexual Abuse Case

ALBUQUERQUE – A Santo Domingo man pleaded guilty in federal court to sexually abusing a 14-year-old girl on the Navajo Nation after meeting her online and lying about his age.

According to court documents, Jordian Pacheco, 33, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Santo Domingo, met Jane Doe on the internet and they began to communicate via phone, email, and social media platforms.

On January 9, 2021, Pacheco drove to Jane Doe's residence, located within the Navajo Nation, when her mother was not home. He then engaged in sexual intercourse and other sexual acts with Jane Doe, knowing she was only 14 years old at the time. Pacheco, who was 29 years old, did not disclose his true age to Jane Doe.

On January 10, 2021, Navajo Police Department (NPD) officers responded to a call from Jane Doe’s mother about a man hiding in Jane Doe's closet. Upon arrival, they found Pacheco, who initially provided false identification and denied any wrongdoing. He was detained and transported to Window Rock Adult Detention Center.

NPD officers located an unknown vehicle outside Jane Doe’s residence and towed it. When they ran the plates, it came back as belonging to Pacheco. Officers spoke to Pacheco again who confirmed that he had given them false identification. He later confessed to engaging in sexual acts with Jane Doe and lying to her about his age during an interview with the FBI.

At sentencing, Pacheco faces 63 to 78 months in prison. Upon his release from prison, Pacheco will be subject to not less than five years and up to life of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Caitlin L. Dillon is prosecuting the case.

# # #