MCKINLEY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – A 31-year-old man from Church Rock appeared in federal court on charges of four counts of aggravated sexual abuse, one count of sexual abuse of a minor, and two counts of abusive sexual contact.

Nathaniel Luz, who is a registered member of the Navajo Nation, will remain in custody pending trial, according to a news release sent Tuesday by Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States attorney for the District of New Mexico.


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According to court documents, between January 2014 and April 2022, Luz allegedly engaged in sexual acts with a child under the age of 12 in five separate incidents. Then, between January 2021 and December 2021, Luz allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a second victim, a child also under the age of 12. In August 2022, Luz allegedly engaged in a sexual act with a third victim, a child who was older than 12 but younger than 16.

If convicted on the current charges, Luz faces up to life in prison.