Santa Fe Man Pleads Guilty to Two Counts of Assaulting a Child

ALBUQUERQUE – A Santa Fe man pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of assaulting a child under the age of 16.

According to court documents, On June 19, 2021, Luis Xavier Rael, 36, was supervising his girlfriend’s 12-year-old son, who is a member of the Pueblo of Nambe. Rael made the child do a series of physical exercises, which he did not to complete to Rael’s satisfaction. Rael then hit the child with a tree branch and a belt on his butt, lower back, and upper legs.

At sentencing, Rael faces up to two years in prison. He may also be ordered to pay restitution to his victim for expenses related to the crime.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Clara Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Jones is prosecuting the case.

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