ZUNI PUEBLO – 51year-old Rodney Waikaniwa was seen in federal court May 5 where he was charged with aggravated sexual abuse for an offense allegedly committed February 10. Waikaniwa is an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo and will remain in custody pending preliminary detention hearings.
According to a criminal complaint, on February 10 Zuni Police Department was alerted to allegations claiming Waikaniwa sexually abused at least two people in Zuni Pueblo. Court documents do not identify victims, and are still in their preliminary form. Court documents explain how Zuni PD contacted the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office where investigations began.
The FBI interviewed the alleged victims, and eventually talked to Waikaniwa. During their interview with Waikaniwa, court documents show that he admitted to sexually abusing both of the victims. Both instances of sexual abuse were committed within the bounds of Zuni Pueblo.
A complaint is merely an allegation, all people are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, Waikaniwa faces a minimum of 30 years in prison.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. Special Assistant US Attorney Mark A. Probasco is prosecuting this case.