Alexander John Duran sentenced to fourteen years in federal prison for sexual abuse of a minor

Alexander John Duran, 31, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for sexual abuse of a minor. The FBI and Pueblo of Pojoaque Police led the investigation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 11:17 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from the U.S. Department of Justice

Federal Sentencing Concludes Pojoaque Abuse Investigation

The United States District Court for New Mexico has handed down a 14-year prison sentence to Alexander John Duran for the sexual exploitation of a juvenile. Duran, a 31-year-old resident and enrolled member of the Pueblo of Pojoaque, appeared before the court to face the consequences of a criminal investigation that spanned several years. The sentencing marks the conclusion of a federal effort to address violent crimes within tribal lands, reinforcing the Department of Justice's commitment to prosecuting serious offenses in Indian Country.

Details of the Multi-Month Offense Period

Court records indicate that the criminal conduct took place over a focused period beginning in December 2021 and continuing through February 2022. During this window, Duran engaged in a sexual act with a victim who was under the age of 12 at the time of the offense. The gravity of the age difference and the nature of the contact led to federal intervention, as the crime occurred within the jurisdictional boundaries of the Pueblo of Pojoaque, necessitating a coordinated response between tribal and federal law enforcement.

Strict Federal Guidelines Preclude Parole Eligibility

Under the federal system, the 14-year sentence imposed on Duran is mandatory in its entirety, as parole has been abolished for federal inmates. This ensures that the defendant will serve the full term of his incarceration before becoming eligible for any form of community transition. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison emphasized that the lack of parole serves as a critical component of the federal justice system's approach to providing definitive accountability for crimes involving the exploitation of minors.