Tohatchi BIA educator in custody,
faces child sex abuse charges

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

GALLUP — A Bureau of Indian Affairs elementary school teacher was arrested on sex abuse charges after an 8-year-old boy said he was touched inappropriately by the educator at a Tohatchi community function.

Marcelito Creer, of Tohatchi, is in custody on a $50,000 cash only bond at the McKinley County Adult Detention Center on charges of criminal sexual penetration of a minor, criminal sexual contact of a minor and intimidation of a witness.

Ron Saavedra, an investigator for the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department, said the boy’s family reported that he was molested by Creer during an overnight party for children within the Tohatchi community on May 25. Creer was considered a family friend of the victim and is employed with the Choosgai School.

The boy reportedly told his family what happened and the community was informed of the allegations during a meeting in Tohatchi. Creer reportedly admitted to some of the allegations and offered to pay the family for counseling, The alleged victim, his family and Creer relocated to New Mexico from the Philippines.

The family waited some time to contact authorities out of concern for their child and because they did not want to bring any embarrassment to the Philippine community.

They recently met with local residents who encouraged them to contact authorities. Investigators subsequently arrested Creer without incident and are awaiting a preliminary hearing in the case on July 8.

Saavedra said Creer has no criminal record within the United States, but investigators plan to research his history overseas.