Man Convicted in Disappearance of Navajo Elder Arrested on New Charge
Preston Tolth, the only person convicted in connection with the 2021 disappearance of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay, has been arrested in Phoenix on a burglary charge. Tolth was recently released from federal prison and was not supposed to commit…
Miami Fort Lauderdale, FL, July 30, 2026 —
Preston Tolth, who was convicted in connection with the 2021 disappearance of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay, has been arrested in Phoenix, Arizona, on a burglary charge. Tolth is the only individual convicted in the case.
Details regarding the specifics of the burglary charge, including the date of the arrest and the exact location within Phoenix, were not immediately available.
Tolth had recently been released from federal prison. His release terms stipulated that he was not to commit any new crimes. The recent arrest raises questions about potential legal ramifications, including whether Tolth will be returned to federal prison.
The disappearance of Ella Mae Begay occurred in 2021. The details surrounding her disappearance and Tolth’s conviction were not provided in the available information.
Further information regarding the ongoing investigation and the status of Preston Tolth’s legal proceedings is expected.
Story summarized from the original created by AP on apnews.com, see more information here.
Media gallery