GRANTS, N.M. – A 21-year-old Acoma Pueblo member has been indicted on federal charges alleging he sexually abused two minors in separate incidents in late 2024 and early 2025, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.
Court documents allege that in December 2024 and January 2025, Bryan Gachupin engaged in sexual acts with two different minors in separate incidents. He is charged with two counts of sexual abuse of a minor.
Federal prosecutors said Gachupin will remain on conditions of release pending trial. A trial date has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison announced the indictment Tuesday, Dec. 16. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs with assistance from the Acoma Police Department and the Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation and does not mean guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.