APD arrests 65-year-old for human trafficking

ALBUQUERQUE – APD’s SWAT officers took Richard Abeyta, 65, into custody late today for charges of human trafficking, criminal sexual penetration, criminal sexual contact of a minor and false imprisonment.

Abeyta is accused of abusing his 7-year-old step-granddaughter, as well as commercial sex trafficking where he is accused of selling the 7-year-old girl on Facebook Live for sex.

Detectives attempted to arrest Abeyta this afternoon, but he barricaded inside his residences and refused to exit. SWAT officers were called to help detain Abeyta,

Detectives are currently executing a search warrant at the home, located at 600 Mesilla St., S.E.

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