Two Navajo men charged with sexual abuse of a minor in Indian Country

               ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jeremiah Elijah Jim, 40, of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, was arraigned in federal court on Oct. 6 on an indictment charging him with aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and abusive sexual contact of a minor in Indian Country.  His co-defendant, Bryan Bull, 39, of Shiprock, New Mexico, appeared in federal court on Sept. 21 for arraignment on the same charges. Both men are enrolled members of the Navajo Nation.

              A federal grand jury charged Jim and Bull on Sept. 10 with four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor and two counts of abusive sexual contact of a minor.  The men are further charged in each count with aiding and abetting in the abuse.

              According to the indictment, between June 3 and June 4, 2019, Jim and Bull allegedly threatened the then-14-year-old victim with serious bodily injury and sexually assaulted him.  The charged offenses took place in Shiprock, New Mexico, in San Juan County on the Navajo Nation.

              Bull and Jim are currently in custody pending trial.  If convicted, each defendant faces up to life in prison. An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

              The Farmington Office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rozzoni is prosecuting the case.