Suspect Charged in Abduction, Killing of Ashlynn Mike

Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at 12:00 AM

The criminal complaint alleges that on the evening of May 2, 2016, Tom Begaye, Jr. picked up the victim and a boy (witness) at a location near Shiprock, N.M., and drove them in his vehicle towards the Shiprock Pinnacle. It further alleges that the witness observed Begaye, who was carrying a piece of metal, take the victim out of his vehicle and walk towards a hill leaving the witness alone in the vehicle. Begaye allegedly returned about an hour later, still carrying the piece of metal but without the victim. Upon his return to the vehicle, Begaye allegedly told the witness to get out of the

From the FBI:

Tom Begaye, Jr., 27, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Waterflow, N.M., made his initial appearance this morning in federal court in Farmington, N.M., on a criminal complaint charging him with kidnapping and murdering an 11-year-old Navajo child. Begaye remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing both of which are scheduled for May 6, 2016, at the federal courthouse in Albuquerque, N.M.

The criminal complaint alleges that on the evening of May 2, 2016, Begaye picked up the victim and a boy (witness) at a location near Shiprock, N.M., and drove them in his vehicle towards the Shiprock Pinnacle. It further alleges that the witness observed Begaye, who was carrying a piece of metal, take the victim out of his vehicle and walk towards a hill leaving the witness alone in the vehicle. Begaye allegedly returned about an hour later, still carrying the piece of metal but without the victim. Upon his return to the vehicle, Begaye allegedly told the witness to get out of the vehicle. Thereafter, the witness provided a description of Begaye and his vehicle to the police, and a second witness corroborated the descriptions.

According to the criminal complaint, on May 3, 2016, investigators located and arrested Begaye at a sweat lodge outside of Shiprock based on the descriptions provided by the two witnesses. Investigators located the victim’s body near Navajo Route 13, which is located within the Navajo Indian Reservation, and observed that the victim’s head was bloody and appeared to have sustained blunt force trauma.

If convicted on the kidnapping of a minor charge, Begaye faces a statutory mandatory minimum of 20 years and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. If convicted on the murder charge, Begaye faces a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

The FBI and Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety investigated the case with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, New Mexico State Police, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and the Farmington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Tapia-Brito and David Adams are prosecuting the case.

More from Local News

Police Arrest Woman for Husband's Fatal Stabbing 5 years ago

After a thorough and ongoing investigation by detectives and working with the district attorney's office, a thorough review of the case was conducted, and the decision to proceed with criminal charges was made. A warrant was issued to charge Heather Fernandez-Hoefer. She was taken into custody without incident on April 1, 2025.
Update: Arrest Made in Fatal Shooting

Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.
Suspect Arrested in Farmington Murder Case

Following an extensive investigation by Farmington Police Department detectives, an arrest warrant was issued for 40-year-old Matthew Sandoval, who is known to have a family connection to Madrid, who has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. On March 28, Sandoval was located by U.S. Marshals in the 400 block of W. Animas. Farmington Police officers responded and arrested Sandoval on the outstanding warrant.
Farmington Temple Opens this Summer

Invited guests will tour the temple, the afternoon of July 14, and all day on July 15 and 16, 2025. A public open house will run from July 17 to August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.
Police: Farmington Child Abuse Suspect Killed in Home

Video

Officers canvassed the area for the suspect; however, investigators believe the individual left the area prior to police arrival. The Farmington Police Department is releasing a video of a person of interest. The video shows a male on a bicycle headed east on Navajo Street towards Lincoln Avenue. The Farmington Police Department urges anyone with information or video surveillance from the area to contact detectives at 505-599-1068.
College Opens new Student Health Center

The $2.2 million Student Health Center spans 2,652 square feet and is designed to provide accessible healthcare services on campus. The center features two exam rooms, three offices for medical and behavioral health professionals, restrooms, storage areas, and additional support spaces.