Federal Bureau of Investigation
4200 Luecking Park Ave NE
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87107
Phone: (505) 889-1300
FAX: (505) 889-1769

Released by/Refer Inquires to:
William A. Elwell
Special Agent – Media Representative
(505) 889-1660

Thomas C. McClenaghan/Special Agent In Charge
Robert Evans/Assistant Special Agent In Charge
Terry Wade/Assistant Special Agent In Charge

On Thursday, November 29, 2007 , at approximately 3:00 p.m. , Thomas C. McClenaghan, Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the Albuquerque Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) will award the 2007 Director’s Community Leadership Award to Augustine D. Abeita, Security Specialist, Bureau of Indian Affairs. The award will be presented by SAC McClenaghan at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Building #2, 1001 Indian School Boulevard NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Since 1990, the FBI has publicly recognized the achievements of individuals and organizations within the areas of drug and violence education and prevention by presenting them with the Director’s Community Leadership Award. For 2007, the FBI will again present this award and also include those individuals and organizations actively involved in terrorism, crime, gang and violence prevention and education.

This year’s FBI Albuquerque Division recipient, Augustine D. Abeita, is being honored for his longstanding contributions toward crime and violence prevention in Indian Country utilizing education training, community awareness, and law enforcement liaison.

Mr. Abeita began his government service as a member of the United States Army during which time he twice earned Silver Star commendations for gallantry as a result of his actions during the Vietnam conflict. Upon his discharge from military service, Mr. Abeita served as a police officer for the City of Baltimore, Maryland. After his stint with the Baltimore Police Department, Mr. Abeita began his career as a police officer with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and was later promoted to the position of Criminal Investigator (CI). As a CI, Mr. Abeita forged valuable and long lasting relationships with law enforcement officers throughout the country and, most specifically, with Special Agents of the FBI. During this same time period, Mr. Abeita also served as a BIA Special Investigations Instructor and was recognized as an expert on issues related to child abuse reporting.

During his tenure as a CI, Mr. Abeita’s investigative expertise regarding child sexual abuse, assaults, rapes, and homicides led to numerous arrests and convictions in Indian Country. CI Abeita’s investigative efforts did not go unnoticed, in October 2003; CI Abeita was recognized by the United States Attorneys Office for the District of New Mexico for his outstanding performance in the area of child sexual abuse investigations. In August 2004, Mr. Abeita retired from his Criminal Investigator position with the BIA.

Retirement from BIA Law Enforcement only meant that Mr. Abeita’s job with the BIA was only beginning. Mr. Abeita was appointed by the BIA Office of Justice Services as the Designated Representative for the Bureau of Indian Education’s (BIE) Review Board for reported allegations of suspected child abuse and neglect. Along with this designation, Mr. Abeita also accepted a Security Specialist Position with BIE. Mr. Abeita’s duties include Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Protocol Training for BIA and BIE employees. These duties allowed Mr. Abeita to implement new training programs and reporting policies to safeguard Native American children. Training programs initiated by Mr. Abeita not only benefit BIA employees but also 6900 academic staff members from 92 Native American schools and universities located in New Mexico. These initiatives have established working relationships between federal and tribal criminal investigators and educators to ensure that Indian Country children exposed to sexual abuse and/or neglect receive the appropriate protective services.

Mr. Abeita is one-half Isleta Pueblo and one-half Chippewa. He and his wife, Tamara, reside in Albuquerque , New Mexico .