Still Missing AZ - Ella Mae Begay, 62, last seen @ home, POI named, Sweetwater, 14 Jun 2021

[PommyMommy]

https://www.docketbird.com/court-cases/USA-v-Tolth/azd-3:2023-cr-08043-1328183

USA v. Tolth
Criminal Court Docket Sheet​

District of Arizona​

3:2023-cr-08043-1328183 (azd)

23
06/26/2023
NOTICE OF ATTORNEY APPEARANCE: Tracy Van Buskirk appearing for USA. (Van Buskirk, Tracy)
22
06/26/2023
NOTICE OF ATTORNEY SUBSTITUTION: William Lichvar appearing for USA. Attorney Dimitra Hotis Sampson terminated.
21
06/21/2023
ORDER granting [20] Second Motion to Continue Trial and Extend Time to File Pretrial Motions filed as to Preston Henry Tolth (1). Jury Trial reset for 9/6/2023 at 09:00 AM before Judge Douglas L Rayes. Motions due by 8/16/2023. Signed by Judge Douglas L Rayes on 6/20/2023.
20
06/12/2023
Second MOTION to Continue Trial and Extend Time to File Pretrial Motions by Preston Henry Tolth.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Seraphine Warren gained attention for her cross-country walk from the Navajo Nation to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness about her missing aunt. Now newly unsealed federal court documents show that she and three other people were arrested and charged in connection with a 2021 kidnapping case.

The unnamed victim was released by the group in Farmington, New Mexico, records say.

According to the documents, filed in New Mexico District Court, Warren, along with three other people, were indicted by a grand jury for kidnapping, defined in the indictment as "unlawfully kidnapping, abducting, inveigling, decoying, seizing, confining, and carrying away the victim," and holding that victim for ransom.

The victim was transported from Arizona to New Mexico, records say.

The indictment includes a count of conspiracy to kidnap, alleging that from about March 29, 2021, to around April 1, 2021, Warren, Orlando Begay, Nelson Alex Begay and Josephine Begay collaborated to kidnap the victim and hold him for ransom.

The alleged kidnapping occurred before Warren's aunt, Ella Mae Begay, was reported missing on June 15, 2021.

According to court documents, the group had researched the victim through Facebook, determined his location and confronted him. They had with them handcuffs, two paintball guns, a metal baton, pepper spray and a Glock handgun, which the documents allege they intended to use in the kidnapping.

The group entered the victim's home in Arizona, physically confronted him, handcuffed him, and then took him from Arizona to New Mexico.

Court documents say Warren hit the victim on top of the head with a blunt object. The group shot him with the paintball guns they brought, handcuffed him and then put him in the back of their truck.
Niece of missing Navajo woman is charged in a kidnapping case in New Mexico

 

[formerlyme]

Seraphine Warren gained attention for her cross-country walk from the Navajo Nation to Washington, D.C., to raise awareness about her missing aunt. Now newly unsealed federal court documents show that she and three other people were arrested and charged in connection with a 2021 kidnapping case.

The unnamed victim was released by the group in Farmington, New Mexico, records say.

According to the documents, filed in New Mexico District Court, Warren, along with three other people, were indicted by a grand jury for kidnapping, defined in the indictment as "unlawfully kidnapping, abducting, inveigling, decoying, seizing, confining, and carrying away the victim," and holding that victim for ransom.

The victim was transported from Arizona to New Mexico, records say.

The indictment includes a count of conspiracy to kidnap, alleging that from about March 29, 2021, to around April 1, 2021, Warren, Orlando Begay, Nelson Alex Begay and Josephine Begay collaborated to kidnap the victim and hold him for ransom.

The alleged kidnapping occurred before Warren's aunt, Ella Mae Begay, was reported missing on June 15, 2021.

According to court documents, the group had researched the victim through Facebook, determined his location and confronted him. They had with them handcuffs, two paintball guns, a metal baton, pepper spray and a Glock handgun, which the documents allege they intended to use in the kidnapping.

The group entered the victim's home in Arizona, physically confronted him, handcuffed him, and then took him from Arizona to New Mexico.

Court documents say Warren hit the victim on top of the head with a blunt object. The group shot him with the paintball guns they brought, handcuffed him and then put him in the back of their truck.
Niece of missing Navajo woman is charged in a kidnapping case in New Mexico

Curious if the man was kidnapped from the area Ella lived in or another part of AZ, could her kidnapping have been retaliation?

 

[TwinkieDefense]

Oct 27, 2023 article

Son of Ella Mae Begay says cousin’s kidnapping charges not related to mom’s disappearance

Seraphine Warren launched her aunt’s case into the national spotlight by walking from Arizona to Washington, D.C. and broadcasting on social media.

www.azfamily.com

[…]

Now, Ella Mae’s son is giving us some background as to what happened and setting the record straight on whether his mom’s disappearance is connected. “There’s no connection to this incident versus to my mom’s disappearance. This is a whole different situation that just came out of nowhere,” Ella Mae’s son Gerald Begay.

[…]

 

[PommyMommy]

NOV 28, 2023

Trial continued to February for man charged in 2021 disappearance of Navajo woman

For the 4th time since an April arraignment, the trial for Preston Henry Tolth was continued to a later date.

azdailysun.com

For the fourth time since an arraignment in early April, the trial for Preston Henry Tolth was continued to a later date.

According to United States District Court documents, a Nov. 14 appearance in front of United States District Judge Douglas Rayes in Phoenix led to a motion to continue the trial and extend time for pretrial motions. The pretrial motions deadline had been scheduled for Nov. 14 following the third continuance in August, but instead led to a Nov. 17 order by the court to continue the trial once again.

Tolth's trial is now scheduled to begin on Feb. 6, 2024, with a pretrial motion deadline of Jan. 16, 2024.

[...]

 

[PommyMommy]

AUG 2, 2024

The FBI is seeking information on dozens of cases involving missing or murdered Native Americans

The FBI is looking for information on 48 cases where Native Americans are missing or victims or suspects of violent crimes. Five happened in Arizona.

www.12news.com

Begay was reported missing by her family in Sweetwater, Arizona, on June 15, 2021. Her vehicle was seen leaving her house early that morning and it is believed she was headed toward New Mexico.

The FBI is offering a reward up to $5,000 for information on the whereabouts of Begay.

 

[PommyMommy]

USA v. Tolth
Criminal Court Docket Sheet​

District of Arizona​

3:2023-cr-08043-1328183 (azd)

05/06/2024
MINUTE ENTRY for proceedings held before Judge Douglas L Rayes: Final Pretrial Conference as to Preston Henry Tolth held on 5/6/2024. Discussion held re: [46] Defendant's Motion to Suppress Statements. For the reasons stated on the record, the motion is GRANTED. Government's oral motion to stay the case, with no objection, is GRANTED. IT IS ORDERED that this case is stayed. FURTHER ORDERED that the 5/8/2024 Arraignment and 5/14/2024 Jury Trial are VACATED. Appearances: AUSA Tracy Van Buskirk and Alanna Kennedy for the Government. AFPD Jane McClellan and James Rael for defendant. Defendant is present and in custody.

07/22/2024
USCA Case Number as to Preston Henry Tolth re: [116] Notice of Interlocutory Appeal. Case number 24-4495, Ninth Circuit.

https://www.docketbird.com/court-cases/USA-v-Tolth/azd-3:2023-cr-08043-1328183

 

[mlhenn]

Ella Mae Begay – The Charley Project

Updated Feb 2026

Details of Disappearance​

Begay was last seen at her home in Tolikan, Arizona on June 15, 2021. She lived alone in a rural area ten miles off the highway, and one of her daughters lived about fifty yards away.

This area was one of the most remote communities on the Navajo Nation. Begay had recently installed solar panels on her house and this was her only source of electricity. She was noted in the community as an accomplished weaver of traditional Navajo rugs.

Begay's truck was seen pulling away from her home about 2:30 a.m. She described as a cautious person and it's uncharacteristic of her to leave home in the middle of the night. She has never been heard from again, and the door to her home was discovered to have been kicked open. Her daughter reported her missing at 10:55 a.m. that same day.

Her silver 2005 Ford F-150 pickup truck with the Arizona license plate number AFE7101 disappeared with her and has not been found; a photo of a similar vehicle is posted with this case summary.

Investigators believe Begay was the victim of foul play, and her case is being investigated as a homicide. A person of interest, Preston Henry Tolth, was arrested on June 17 on unrelated charges of battery to a family member, and was questioned about Begay's disappearance after his arrest.

A photo of Tolth is posted with this case summary. In April 2023, he was charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and carjacking resulting in serious bodily injury in Begay's case. The charges allege that Tolth stole Begay's pickup and took it across state lines with the intent to cause death or serious injury to her.

In January 2026, Tolth reached a plea agreement with the prosecution, pleading guilty to robbery. He confessed to stealing Begay's pickup truck, hitting her on the head with a blunt object, and leaving her unconscious on the reservation. He says he sold the truck for money and drugs.

Begay has not been located, but foul play is suspected in her case due to the circumstances involved.