ZUNI MAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE WITHIN INDIAN COUNTRY JURISDICTION

A 63-year-old enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni has been sentenced to a decade in federal prison following a conviction for sexual abuse stemming from a 2023 assault within Indian Country jurisdiction. The sentence was imposed in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico, reinforcing federal authority over certain felony offenses committed on tribal land.

According to court records, on August 19, 2023, Stanton Hannaweeke engaged in a nonconsensual sexual act with an individual identified in court filings as Jane Doe. The matter proceeded through federal prosecution, culminating in a guilty plea to one count of sexual abuse. The court imposed a ten-year term of imprisonment. Under federal law, there is no parole system; defendants serve the sentence imposed, subject only to limited statutory good-conduct adjustments administered by the Bureau of Prisons.

Upon completion of his custodial sentence, Hannaweeke will be subject to ten years of supervised release. Federal supervised release includes court-ordered compliance conditions that may involve monitoring, travel restrictions, mandatory counseling, and regular reporting to a probation officer. In addition, he will be required to register as a sex offender pursuant to federal and state registration statutes, which mandate ongoing reporting obligations and public registry compliance.

The announcement was made by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Mexico and the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. The investigation was conducted by the Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque division with assistance from the Zuni Police Department. The prosecution was handled by an Assistant United States Attorney assigned to the matter.

Cases involving felony sexual abuse within Indian Country fall under federal jurisdiction when statutory thresholds are met, including provisions under the Major Crimes Act. Federal jurisdiction exists to ensure uniform prosecution of specified serious offenses occurring on tribal lands when either the defendant or the victim meets qualifying status under federal law.

The prosecution was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the United States Department of Justice to combat sexual exploitation and abuse involving minors and vulnerable victims. The initiative coordinates federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement resources to identify offenders, support victims, and strengthen investigative response capabilities, particularly in cases involving exploitation facilitated by digital platforms or interstate conduct.

Federal sentencing in sexual abuse cases reflects statutory guidelines, judicial discretion, and the seriousness of the offense. Courts consider factors including victim impact, defendant history, and the need for deterrence and protection of the public. The absence of federal parole underscores the finality of sentencing determinations at the time of judgment.

The case concludes with a custodial term, extended supervision, and mandatory registry compliance, reinforcing federal enforcement authority within Indian Country and the coordinated role of tribal and federal agencies in prosecuting serious violent offenses.

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