A former White Mountain Apache Tribal Police officer, Karl Eugene Leslie, is facing grave charges following a federal indictment which alleges serious sexual crimes while he was on duty, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Arizona. Arrested Wednesday in Canyon Day, Leslie's rap sheet as detailed in the Dec. 23 indictment is extensive, with 15 counts including Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Kidnapping, among others.
The federal indictment, made public January 8, alleges that from December 2020 to September 2023, Leslie sexually abused three members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, including rape, kidnapping, and intimidation. The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office is seeking additional victims and has set up a dedicated page for the case.
Leslie, who served as a Tribal Police officer from April 2007 to June 2024, faces serious consequences if convicted, including life imprisonment, fines up to $250,000 per count, and a mandatory minimum of 20 years for the kidnapping of a victim under 18. The allegations, involving someone sworn to uphold the law, represent a profound breach of public trust.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dimitra H. Sampson (Flagstaff) and Lindsay L. Short (Phoenix) are prosecuting the case, underscoring the seriousness of the allegations. Leslie remains presumed innocent until proven guilty. Updates on this and other cases are posted on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona X account, @USAO_AZ.
