ZUNI PUEBLO – Phillip Lahi, Sr., a 70- year-old man and enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo is facing charges for exposing himself and then forcibly engaging in sex with a nine-year-old girl. According to an indictment, this conduct allegedly took place from when the girl, identified as Jane Doe, was five or six years old.
On April 29, Lahi made an initial appearance in federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is accused of attempting to and fully engaging in sexual conduct with a minor child. The court ruled that Lahi must remain in custody pending a detention hearing which has been scheduled for May 3.
The complaint brought before the court is only an allegation, all people are innocent until proven guilty in a court. If convicted, Lahi faces a minimum of 30 years and a maximum of life in prison.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Brittany DuChaussee is prosecuting the case.