Navajo medicine man accused of raping teen girl

Monday, May 21, 2007  

A Navajo medicine man faces charges in New Mexico state court for allegedly raping a 15-year-old girl in 2002.

David Filfred, 68, denied having sex with the girl, who became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. But DNA tests showed the child to be Filfred's.

The victim said she never came forward due to Filfred's status as a medicine man. She feared he would "put some type of spiritual harm on her" if she reported the assault, an arrest affidavit quoted by The Farmington Daily Times states.

Federal authorities initially investigated because both Filfred and the victim live on the Navajo Nation but it was later determined that the incident occurred in Farmington after a powwow. Filfred allegedly bought the girl and her cousin beer and drank with them.

Get the Story:
Utah man arrested for allegedly raping 15-year-old girl (The Farmington Daily Times 5/19)

Amnesty International Report:
Full Report | Press Release

Online Discussion:
Violence against Native American and Alaska Native Women (April 24, 2007)

Relevant Links:
Join Voices with Native American and Alaska Native Women and Take Action to Stop the Violence - http://www.amnestyusa.org/maze

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