GRANTS, N.M. – In June, the U.S Attorney’s Office in Albuquerque announced that it intends to seek the death penalty for a Zuni man accused of robbing, kidnapping, sexually assaulting, and killing homeless or addicted Native American men across New Mexico from 2022 to 2024.
Labar Tsethlikai, a 52year-old enrolled member of Zuni Pueblo was indicted on 17 charges in July, 2024.
“[Tsethlikai] committed the offense in an especially heinous, cruel, or depraved manner in that it involved torture or serious abuse to John Doe 1.” A notice by U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison wrote, arguing that the death sentence is justified, despite New Mexico not practicing the death penalty since it was abolished in 2009.
According to the U.S Attorney’s Office press release, the FBI is continuing to investigate to find out if Tsethlikai was involved in crimes against other victims.
The timeline of the crimes Tsethlikai is accused of committing according to the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico indictments: 2022 - McKinley County
October 22: In McKinley County, Labar Tsethlikai allegedly kidnapped and carried away John Doe 1 and held him for ransom, which resulted in death.
2023 - Indian Country in McKinley County
May 19: Tsethlikai reportedly kidnapped John Doe 3, holding him for ransom.
June 15: John Doe 4 was kidnapped and held for ransom by Tsethlikai, who assaulted the victim and caused serious bodily injury and when finished, he intended to commit murder.
July 13: Tsethlikai kidnapped and held John Doe 5 and unlawfully used force and threats to commit sexual assault.
August 24: John Doe 6 was kidnapped and assaulted by Tsethlikai with a baseball bat.
September 7: Tsethlikai kidnapped John Doe 7 and held him for payment.
September 15: John Doe 8 was kidnapped and held for ransom by Tsethlikai.
2024 - Indian Country, McKinley County & Bernalillo County
January 18: Tsethlikai is said to have kidnapped John Doe 2 and attempted to sexually abuse him, which resulted in the victims deliberate death.
February 16: John Doe 9 was kidnapped by Tsethlikai in hopes of payment.
April 5: Tsethlikai kidnapped and held John Doe 10 for ransom.
April 11: John Doe 11 was kidnapped for ransom by Tsethlikai.
17-Count Indictment
Count 1 (October 22, 2022): Kidnapping Resulting in Death of John Doe 1 Count 2 (January 18, 2024): First Degree Murder of John Doe 2 Count 3 (January 18, 2024): First Degree Felony Murder of John Doe 2 Count 4 (January 18, 2024): Kidnapping Resulting in Death of John Doe 2 Count 5 (May 19, 2023): Kidnapping of John Doe 3 Count 6 (June 15, 2023): Kidnapping of John Doe 4 Count 7 (June 15, 2023): Assault with Intent to Commit Murder of John Doe 4 Count 8 (June 15, 2023): Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury of John Doe 4 Count 9 (July 13, 2023): Kidnapping of John Doe 5 Count 10 (July 13, 2023): Aggravated Sexual Abuse of John Doe 5 Count 11 (August 24, 2023): Kidnapping of John Doe 6 Count 12 (August 24, 2023): Assault with a Dangerous Weapon of John Doe 6 Count 13 (September 7, 2023): Kidnapping of John Doe 7 Count 14 (September 15, 2023): Kidnapping of John Doe 8
Count 15 (February 16, 2024): Kidnapping of John Doe 9 Count 16 (April 5, 2024): Kidnapping of John Doe 10 Count 17 (April 11, 2024): Kidnapping of John Doe 11 Though innocent until proven guilty, if Tsethlikai is convicted of these charges, he can face any number of years up to life for the kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse charges, up to ten years imprisonment on the assault resulting in serious bodily injury charge, up to twenty years for the assault with intent to murder charge, and mandatory life sentence or death for the kidnapping resulting in death and firstdegree murder charges.