Man Charged in Connection with Woman’s Disappearance

NAVAJO NATION – Ella Mae Begay has been missing from her Sweetwater, Arizona home since 2021. The Navajo Nation Crownpoint Police Department was the lead Navajo Nation Police Department investigating her disappearance. Authorities believed she may have went missing in Cibola County. While Begay has still not been found, the United States Department of Justice has brought charges against Preston Henry Tolth of Thoreau, New Mexico, in connection with her disappearance.

According to an indictment from the United States Department of Justice filed an indictment against Tolth on March 14, alleging that he committed “Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury and Carjacking Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury.” An indictment is merely an allegation, and all people are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The indictment alleges that Tolth assaulted Begay at her home in Sweetwater, Arizona, before taking the vehicle and driving it across state lines, “With the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury to the vehicle.”

If convicted for the disappearance of Begay, Tolth faces a maximum of 35 years in federal prison and a $500,000 fine.

“This indictment is an important first step in determining the truth about what happened to an elderly victim on the Navajo Nation,” said U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino for the District of Arizona. “The indictment charges the defendant with carjacking and assault; the investigation is ongoing.”

Tolth is currently on trial for armed robbery, aggravated battery and other charges for stabbing an unnamed man in Grants on January 26. Tolth’s is being tried in the 13th Judicial District with the Honorable Judge Amanda Sanchez Villalobos presiding.

Begay disappeared from her home on June 15, 2021 in Sweetwater, Arizona. The FBI was convinced that Begay was in, or travelling through Cibola County and may have stopped in the Thoreau area. To help bolster their efforts, the FBI is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest, and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Ella Mae Begay.

Begay is a 5’ 1” tall woman who weighs 110 pounds. She has brown eyes and shoulder length brown hair. On June 18 Navajo Nation Police Department arrested Preston Tolth in the Navajo Nation for an unrelated battery, police said that he was a suspect in the disappearance of Begay.

Begay was travelling in a Silver 2005 Ford F150 with Arizona license plate AFE7101.

In a statement on Twitter, Darlene Gomez, an attorney representing the Begay family, said the indictment marked a bittersweet development for the family. She said the family appreciates prayers and support from everyone who has followed this case.

'This indictment is an important first step in determining the truth about what happened to an elderly victim on the Navajo Nation,' U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino of Arizona