A Waterflow, N.M., man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the abduction and death of 11-year-old Ashlynne Mike.
Tom Begaye, 27, is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge B. Paul Briones in Farmington on Wednesday.
From the FBI: A Waterflow, N.M., man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the abduction and death of 11-year-old Ashlynne Mike.
Tom Begaye, 27, is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge B. Paul Briones in Farmington on Wednesday.
Ashlynne's body was found Tuesday morning approximately 6 miles south of the Shiprock Monument. She had been abducted in the Fruitland area Monday afternoon.
The FBI is investigating this case with the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, New Mexico State Police, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Farmington Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service.
No further information will be released until after Begaye's court appearance.
The public is reminded that defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.
Judge Curtis Gurley sentenced Andrew Whittenberg to two consecutive life sentences, each with a minimum of 30 years, plus an additional 16½ years to be served consecutively, bringing his total sentence to 76½ years in prison.
The New Mexico Department of Justice has investigated fuel prices in San Juan County under prior Attorneys General. Investigations were inconclusive, but there was relief at the pump for a brief period. “We just want to be assured that San Juan County is paying what’s fair at the pump,” said Commissioner Lanier. “With limited competition between brands, it is worth checking out.”
Deputies responded to reports of a shooting and located 18-year-old Elihue Vialpando, who had sustained fatal gunshot wounds. A second victim, Jack Chavez, suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center for treatment. Witness statements revealed Vialpando brandished a pistol and fired rounds earlier in the night, but based on the timeline of events and witness statements, did not support actions by Thomas Vigil.
Earlier this week, Jacob Marriott was sentenced after pleading guilty to 4 counts of Manufacturing of Child Pornography (2nd Degree Felony), 1 count of Possession of Child Pornography (4th Degree Felony), and 2 counts of Voyeurism of a Child Under 18 (3rd Degree Felony).
We'll be updating this page with results throughout the evening on Tuesday, June 2, 2026:
These are the unofficial results of the contested NM Primary races in San Juan County on June 2, 2026:
A lively mix of guest interviews and listener calls, "Travel with Rick Steves" goes beyond the Europe that Mr. Steves is famous for, with shows covering travel and cultures across every continent.