Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man has been charged by criminal complaint with multiple counts of sexual abuse for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl.
Thomas Lee Chaffins, 35, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, appeared before a federal judge on October 10 and was detained pending trial.
According to the criminal complaint, on September 27, 2024, Chaffins engaged in sexual acts with a 15-year-old girl, identified as Jane Doe. At 15 years old, Jane Doe was legally unable to consent to sexual activity with the 35-year-old Chaffins. Additionally, Jane Doe was reportedly too intoxicated to recall details of the assault, further rendering her incapable of consent.
If convicted, Chaffins faces up to life in prison.
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 Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Alyson Hehr are prosecuting the case.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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