Suspect Pleads Guilty in Disappearance of Navajo Grandmother Ella Mae Begay

Preston Henry Tolth could face up to 5 years in prison for robbery, but Begay's family opposes the plea deal.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car key or cell phone, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing a critical piece of physical evidence in the disappearance of Ella Mae Begay.The harsh forensic photography of a key piece of evidence in the case of missing Navajo grandmother Ella Mae Begay underscores the ongoing crisis of violence against Native Americans.Edgewood Today

A man charged in the disappearance of Navajo grandmother Ella Mae Begay has pleaded guilty to robbery as part of a second plea agreement with prosecutors. Preston Henry Tolth, 26, could face up to 5 years in federal prison, with credit for 3 years already served. Begay's family opposes the agreement, saying prosecutors ignored their wishes.

Why it matters

Ella Mae Begay's case has highlighted the disproportionate violence faced by Native Americans, especially women, and the need for more law enforcement resources and cooperation between tribal and federal investigators in missing persons cases.

The details

Tolth admitted to using force to take Begay's truck and leaving her on the side of the road before driving away and selling the vehicle. In a previous interrogation, Tolth had confessed to attacking Begay in a fit of anger and leaving her for dead, but that confession was ruled inadmissible in court. The latest plea agreement would protect Tolth from future murder or manslaughter charges related to Begay's case.

  • Ella Mae Begay, 62, vanished in 2021 from Sweetwater, Arizona.
  • In 2022, Begay's niece Seraphine Warren walked from the Navajo Nation to Washington, D.C. to raise awareness about her aunt's disappearance.
  • The judge is scheduled to review the latest plea agreement in May 2026.

The players

Preston Henry Tolth

A 26-year-old man charged in the disappearance of Ella Mae Begay, who has pleaded guilty to robbery as part of a second plea agreement.

Ella Mae Begay

A 62-year-old Navajo grandmother who vanished in 2021 from Sweetwater, Arizona, sparking national attention on the crisis of violence against Native Americans.

Seraphine Warren

Ella Mae Begay's niece who walked from the Navajo Nation to Washington, D.C. in 2022 to raise awareness about her aunt's disappearance and the high rate of homicides and missing persons cases in Indian Country.

Gerald Begay

Ella Mae Begay's son who plans to attend the next court hearing and ask the judge to reject the plea agreement.

Judge Douglas Rayes

The U.S. District Judge who will review the latest plea agreement in May 2026.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Yes, your honor.”

— Preston Henry Tolth

“Accountability is not time served. It's about truth, and we still don't have the truth.”

— Seraphine Warren, Ella Mae Begay's niece

“The prosecutors aren't thinking about our rights or what we need as a family.”

— Gerald Begay, Ella Mae Begay's son

What’s next

The judge is scheduled in May 2026 to review the latest plea agreement, which also protects Tolth from future murder or manslaughter charges in relation to Begay's case.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women, and the need for stronger collaboration between tribal and federal law enforcement to address this crisis.