White Mountain Apache man faces more sexual abuse charges

Thursday, November 29, 2012  

A member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona who is a serial sexual abuser is facing additional charges.

Just last week, Jefferson Gatewood, 44, was convicted on 23 counts of sexual assault, abuse and kidnapping for incidents dating between 1992 and 2010. The attacks began about two years after he completed his sentence for assaulting a woman on the reservation.

"This is a remarkable verdict that can be attributed first to the 15 courageous victims who came forward to face their attacker in court," John Leonardo, the U.S. Attorney for Arizona, said in a statement to The Arizona Republic.

The new charges cover five counts of sexual assault, abuse and kidnapping. Authorities say the incidents occurred between 1996 and 2005.

Gatewood is a registered sex offender with the tribe.

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Rapist to face further counts (The Arizona Republic 11/29)