Zuni Man Sentenced for Sexual Abuse Against Children

ALBUQUERQUE – A Zuni man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for sexually abusing two young girls on the Pueblo of Zuni reservation in New Mexico.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, Rodney Waikaniwa, 51, an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, sexually assaulted two minor victims, Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. Jane Doe 1 was assaulted between September 21, 2000, and September 20, 2001. Jane Doe 2 was assaulted between January 1, 2013, and December 31, 2015. He committed the crimes at shared residences with the victims within the Pueblo of Zuni. Jane Doe 1 was approximately 8 years old at the time of the abuse and Jane Doe 2 was approximately 6 years old at the time of the abuse.

Upon his release from prison, Waikaniwa will be subject to a 15-year term 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 Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting the case.

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