Judge Rejects Plea Deal in Missing Navajo Elder Case

Ella Mae Begay's family pleads for information on her whereabouts as suspect faces trial

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:21pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a set of car keys against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing a key piece of physical evidence in the investigation into Ella Mae Begay's disappearance.The disappearance of Ella Mae Begay has become a tragic symbol of the broader crisis facing Indigenous communities across the United States.Phoenix Today

A federal judge in Phoenix has rejected a plea agreement that would have allowed a man who admitted to beating a Navajo elder and leaving her for dead to avoid more prison time. Preston Henry Tolth, 26, now faces trial on charges of carjacking and assault in relation to the 2021 disappearance of Ella Mae Begay, who has not been found nearly five years later.

Why it matters

Begay's case has received national attention and highlights the broader crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. The judge's rare decision to reject the plea deal came after anguished testimony from Begay's family, who urged Tolth to reveal Begay's location.

The details

Tolth initially denied involvement but later confessed to stealing Begay's truck with her in it, punching her repeatedly, and leaving her on the side of the road. He then sold the truck for money and drugs. Prosecutors said the suppression of Tolth's confession weakened their case, leading them to propose the plea deal, but the judge rejected it.

  • Ella Mae Begay was reported missing in June 2021 from her home in Sweetwater, Arizona.
  • Tolth was set to face trial in 2024, but a judge ruled his confession inadmissible.
  • The rejected plea deal would have sentenced Tolth to 3 years of time served.

The players

Preston Henry Tolth

A 26-year-old man who admitted to beating Ella Mae Begay and leaving her for dead.

Ella Mae Begay

A Navajo elder who went missing in 2021 and has not been found.

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What they’re saying

“Tolth should not walk free without revealing Begay's location.”

— Begay's son and niece

What’s next

A trial date has not been set for Tolth, who now faces charges of carjacking and assault.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people, and the importance of holding perpetrators accountable while also providing closure for victims' families.