Steven Daniel Buitimea, 37, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced on May 5 by U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker to 210 months in prison and a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to aggravated sexual abuse.
The case highlights the prosecution of violent crimes occurring within tribal lands and the coordination between federal and tribal authorities. The offense took place on May 28, 2022, when Buitimea, an enrolled member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe, sexually assaulted a victim by force on the Pascua Yaqui Indian Reservation in Tucson. The assault resulted in serious physical injury to the victim.
The FBI Phoenix Division’s Tucson office and the Pascua Yaqui Police Department investigated the incident. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona prosecuted the case.
The U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona advances community wellness through outreach programs and victim advocacy, according to the official website. It is a component of the U.S. Department of Justice that serves Arizona—including its border with Mexico and federally recognized tribes—by handling federal prosecutions and coordinating law enforcement efforts with about 180 assistant attorneys and numerous support staff members working alongside federal, tribal, state, and local agencies.
According to its official website, the office prosecutes federal crimes across Arizona while supporting community initiatives aimed at promoting safety.
