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Judge Rejects Plea Deal for Man in Navajo Elder's Disappearance

4/10/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A Phoenix federal judge rejected a plea agreement for Preston Henry Tolth, 26, who admitted to assaulting and abandoning Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay in 2021.
The deal would have provided Tolth with only three years of time served.
Begay has been missing since June 2021, and her family testified Tolth should not be released until her whereabouts are disclosed.

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Story summary

A Phoenix federal judge rejected a plea agreement for Preston Henry Tolth, 26, who admitted to assaulting and abandoning Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay in 2021.
The deal would have provided Tolth with only three years of time served.
Begay has been missing since June 2021, and her family testified Tolth should not be released until her whereabouts are disclosed.