Sexual Predators Sentenced

Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 12:00 AM

Two San Juan County men were sentenced to prison for unrelated child sex crimes. 42 year-old Lariet Charles, of Bloomfield and Justin Pelt, age 24 of Waterflow were sentenced on the same day after lengthy investigations and entering pleas.

From the San Juan County Sheriff's Office:
On September 6, 2013, the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation into the manufacturing and possession of child pornography by a San Juan County resident. The investigation was conducted in conjunction with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office (NMAGO) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) which led to the arrest of 42 year-old Lariet Charles (L), of Bloomfield. On March 6, 2014, Charles was charged with two counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children by Manufacturing; ten counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children by Possession; two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor in the 4th degree and two counts of Voyeurism. In March of 2016, Charles entered into a plea agreement and pleaded guilty to five of the nine counts as charged.

On August 2, 2016, Charles was sentenced by District Judge Townsend. For his crimes against children, Charles was sentenced to serve 15 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections (NMDOC). He was also ordered to comply with the New Mexico Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act and he must register as a Sexual Offender for the remainder of his life. He must also successfully complete the Sex Offender Treatment Program (STOP).

On the same day, in a neighboring courtroom, District Judge Dean also handed down a prison sentence to another hands-on sexual offender. Justin Pelt (R), age 24 of Waterflow, was sentenced to serve 10 year in the NMDOC. Pelt pleaded guilty to Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Minor in the 2nd degree, for an offense that occurred in May of 2015. Pelt must also complete the STOP program and register as a sexual offender for the remainder of his life. Pelt was previously charged in 2011 with one count of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor in the 4th degree. In March of 2012, Pelt entered a No Contest Plea to the charge of Aggravated Battery and was sentenced to probation for that offense in April of 2012 by Judge Hynes.

More from Local News

Update: Driver Cited for Street Racing (video)

The driver of the red Toyota Supra, 22-year-old Kalynn Kenworthy, was charged with racing on highways. Kenworthy has an extensive history of traffic violations, including citations for racing in August 2025 and in 2023, as well as more than seven speeding citations within the past four years, each averaging more than 15 mph over the posted speed limit. Additional charges are pending against the driver of the white passenger car.
Dineh Benally Pleads Guilty to Charges from Illegal Marijuana Farms

According to court documents, from approximately January 2018 to November 2020, Benally, 48, and his co-conspirators established over 30 farms, covering more than 400 acres, on land obtained from Navajo Nation members. To fund this illegal enterprise, Benally and a co-conspirator traveled to California and created front companies to solicit Chinese investors. These investors were charged cash fees ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 for counterfeit cannabis cultivation licenses.
Three Injured in Farmington Shooting, Suspect Arrested

It was discovered that several individuals had been injured. A juvenile sustained a graze wound, a 16-year-old was shot in the leg, and an 18-year-old was shot in the chest and transported to Albuquerque in critical condition. The vehicle involved in the crash is connected to the shooter. At this time, the shooter has been identified as an 18-year-old male.
Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.
Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly. At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.
Candidates File for Municipal Elections

Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.