GRANTS, N.M. — Federal prosecutors have escalated the case against Labar Tsethlikai, a 51-yearold Zuni man accused of a brutal series of crimes targeting Native American men across New Mexico.
In a second superseding indictment filed on December 18, six additional charges have been brought against Tsethlikai, bringing the total number of charges to 17 counts, including kidnapping, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated sexual abuse, and multiple counts of first-degree murder.
• In all Tsethlikai is faced with 17 different criminal charges: Count 1: On October 22, 2022, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped and murdered John Doe 1.
• Count 2: On January 18, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly murdered John Doe 2 willfully, deliberately, maliciously, and with premeditation.
• Count 3: On January 18, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly killed John Doe 2 during the commission of a kidnapping and sexual abuse.
• Count 4: On January 18, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 2 and death resulted.
• Count 6: On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 4.
• Count 7: On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 4 with the specific intent to commit murder.
• Count 8: On June 15, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly assaulted John Doe 4, and the assault resulted in serious bodily injury.
• Count 9: On July 13, 2023, Tsethlikai kidnapped John Doe 5.
• Count 10: On July 13, 2023, Tsethlikai allegedly sexually abused John Doe 5 by force and threats, and the sexual act consisted of contact between the penis of Tsethlikai and the mouth of John Doe 5.
• Count 15: On February 16, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 9 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.
• Count 17: On April 11, 2024, Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped John Doe 11 using interstate facilities and instrumentalities.
New Charges and Additional Victims
The latest charges outline five additional counts of kidnapping and one count of assault with a dangerous weapon (a baseball bat), linked to five more victims. The timeline of the alleged crimes now stretches from October 2022 to April 2024, covering incidents in McKinley, Cibola, and Bernalillo Counties.
New charges include:
• Count 5: Kidnapping of John Doe 3 on May 19, 2023
• Count 11: Kidnapping of John Doe 6 on August 24, 2023
• Count 12: Assault with a dangerous weapon (baseball bat) against John Doe 6
• Count 13: Kidnapping of John Doe 7 on September 7, 2023
• Count 14: Kidnapping of John Doe 8 on September 15, 2023
• Count 16: Kidnapping of John Doe 10 on April 5, 2024 Tsethlikai, who allegedly worked in the Native American jewelry trade, was initially charged in April 2024 with second-degree murder. By July, the charges were expanded to include first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping resulting in death, aggravated sexual abuse, and assault with intent to commit murder.
Prosecutors accuse Tsethlikai of a chilling pattern of behavior: kidnapping victims across remote areas of Indian Country and urban centers like Albuquerque, subjecting them to violence, sexual abuse, and, in some cases, murder.
If convicted, Tsethlikai faces a mandatory life sentence or the death penalty for charges related to kidnapping resulting in death and first-degree murder. Other charges carry sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.
The MMIP Initiative
This case remains part of the Missing or Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Regional Outreach Program, underscoring the U.S. Department of Justice’s commitment to addressing violence against Indigenous people and supporting affected families and communities.
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office, led by Special Agent Raul Bujanda, continues its investigation, urging anyone with information or potential victims to step forward. Tips can be submitted to the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or online at tips.fbi.gov.