A federal judge in Arizona on Tuesday released a federal indictment against Preston Torse, indicting him for assault and carjacking in connection with his alleged role in the disappearance of Ella Mae Bigey.
Begay (Diné) disappeared from his home in Sweetwater, Arizona on June 15, 2021. Her disappearance garnered local and national attention, largely due to her family’s role in advocating for information.
As of Tuesday, Bigey’s family have some answers, but are still trying to find her.
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Ella Mae’s son Gerard Beghey said, “I think today is the day I started looking for her. It’s a big step in finding my mother.
Tolth appeared before U.S. Magistrate Camille Bibles in federal court in Flagstaff and was charged with assault causing serious injury and carjacking.
Both charges are felonies and carry a maximum sentence of 35 years in federal prison.
Federal prosecutors told the judge that Tors had testified to investigators about harming Beguei and bringing a gray Ford F-150 from Arizona to New Mexico. The truck has been seen in missing posters since Begay disappeared.
Authorities recently transferred Torsu (Dine) from the Cibola County Jail in New Mexico. He was in prison on another assault charge for allegedly stabbing a man in Glanz.
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He remains in federal custody. Bibles he will formally indict his Tolth on April 7th.
In March 2022, the Navajo Nation Police Department announced that Torse had taken an interest in Bigey’s disappearance. At the time, he was in custody on charges of assault in Glanz.
Ella Mae’s family told investigators that Torsu had been a suspect from day one, said Ella Mae’s son Gerald Beghey.
The family wants Torsu to tell him where his mother is.
Gerard Beghey (Dineh) said, “The only thing I hope for now is that he develops some kind of common sense about publishing some answers.” If so, I hope you can provide me with information to help me locate my mother.”
This is a developing story and will be updated.
