ALBUQUERQUE – Erick McDonald, 27, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). 

SORNA, also known as the Adam Walsh Protection and Safety Act, requires that a convicted sex offender register in each jurisdiction where the offender resides, where the offender is employed, or where the offender is a student, and that the sex offender maintain current registrations.

McDonald was charged by indictment on Aug. 28, 2018, with violating SORNA by failing to update his sex offender registration from Oct. 30, 2017 through April 21, 2018, in Bernalillo County, N.M. 

During today’s proceedings, McDonald pled guilty to the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement.  In its proffer of evidence, the United States indicated that McDonald is required to register under SORNA because of his conviction on July 17, 2013, for two counts of abusive sexual contact.  At sentencing, McDonald faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  He will be required to register as a sex offender when he completes his prison sentence pursuant to his previous conviction.  McDonald remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Marshals Service and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson.