Missing Indigenous Woman
FILE - Gerald Begay, whose mother Ella Mae Begay went missing from her home, poses for a portrait in his home in Denver, April 2, 2026.
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The last person known to have seen a Navajo elder alive has been arrested in an unrelated incident, raising questions about whether he will be sent back to federal prison. Preston Tolth is the only person ever charged and convicted in connection with the 2021 disappearance of Ella Mae Begay. He was released early from federal prison in June and was on supervised release at a transitional housing facility in Phoenix. According to court records, Phoenix police arrested him this week, and he faces a home burglary charge. Under the terms of his federal plea agreement, he is not to commit any additional crimes. Tolth's federal public defender didn't respond to a request for comment Thursday from The Associated Press.