Tribal officer charged with rape and kidnapping on Fort Apache

Federal prosecutors charged a former White Mountain Apache Tribal Police officer with a string of sexual assaults and kidnappings that authorities say occurred on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, shaking confidence in local public safety systems.

Karl Eugene Leslie, 42, was arrested Jan. 7 in Canyon Day on the Fort Apache Reservation and is the subject of a 15-count federal indictment. The charges include aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse through fear, sexual abuse through coercion, deprivation of rights under color of law, and kidnapping, including one count alleging the kidnapping of a victim under 18. Prosecutors allege Leslie sexually abused three members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe between Dec. 1, 2020 and Sept. 25, 2023.

Leslie served as a tribal officer from April 2007 through June 2024. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the most serious counts could carry life in prison and fines if he is convicted. Federal investigators indicated they believe there may be additional victims and urged anyone with information or who believes they may have been victimized to contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 or submit information online.

The indictment includes a deprivation of rights charge, a federal tool used when alleged criminal acts are committed by someone acting under color of law. That count elevates the case beyond ordinary criminal allegations into a civil rights and public corruption context, signaling federal concern about abuse of official authority.

For residents of Apache County and members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, the charges raise immediate questions about oversight, accountability and victim safety on the reservation. Allegations that a sworn officer used his position to harm community members erode trust in institutions charged with protection. The presence of a federal indictment does not determine guilt; it does place federal prosecutors at the center of the response and may prompt review of tribal policing policies and intergovernmental coordination.

Community leaders and tribal officials now face decisions about transparency, internal review, and support for anyone affected. The federal call for additional victims to come forward makes community outreach and accessible reporting routes vital. Residents concerned about safety or seeking to provide information should use the FBI contact above.

The investigation also highlights how civil rights statutes intersect with tribal sovereignty and local policing. Ensuring thorough, fair investigation while protecting victims and preserving community cohesion will be key tests for tribal and federal officials in the months ahead.

Our two cents? If you or someone you know was affected, contact the FBI at 1-800-225-5324 and ask tribal leaders for clear updates on oversight and victim support; community accountability depends on reporting, transparent processes, and civic pressure for meaningful reforms.