Former White Mountain Apache officer arrested, accused of raping and kidnapping women while on duty

PHOENIX — A former White Mountain Apache Tribal Police officer was arrested Wednesday on multiple counts of sexual abuse and kidnapping.

Karl Eugene Leslie, 42, of Whiteriver, Arizona, faces a 15-count federal indictment returned Dec. 23, 2025. The charges include aggravated sexual abuse, kidnapping — including one count involving a victim under 18 — sexual abuse through fear, sexual abuse through coercion, and deprivation of rights under color of law.

Prosecutors allege Leslie committed the crimes while working as an on-duty police officer. According to the indictment, the abuse involved three victims and occurred between Dec. 1, 2020, and Sept. 25, 2023.

Leslie is accused of raping and kidnapping two of the victims, one of whom was a minor. It also alleges that he engaged in sexual acts with a third victim by threatening her and placing her in fear. All three victims are members of the White Mountain Apache Tribe and the alleged crimes occurred on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation.

Leslie served with the White Mountain Apache Tribal Police Department from April 2007 through June 2024, according to authorities.

The FBI’s Phoenix Field Office said investigators believe there may be additional victims. Anyone with information or who believes they may be a victim is asked to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit information through the FBI’s seeking victim information page.

If convicted of all charges, Leslie could face life in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of kidnapping a victim under 18 carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years.

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