Man Charged in Disappearance of Navajo Nation Woman in New Mexico

A federal grand jury has indicted a New Mexico man on assault and carjacking charges related to the 2021 disappearance of Ella Mae Begay, a Navajo professional rug weaver whose case brought attention to the crisis of missing and murdered Native Americans. Preston Henry Tolth, 23, was indicted on charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury. Ms. Begay's family reported her missing from her residence in Sweetwater, Ariz., less than 20 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border. She has not been found.