Burglary charge could send man linked to Navajo elder’s disappearance back to federal prison
Summary
Preston Tolth, the only person charged and convicted in the disappearance of Navajo elder Ella Mae Begay in 2021, was arrested on a burglary charge unrelated to her case. Tolth was released early from federal prison in June and was on supervised release when he was arrested for the new charge.Key Facts
- Ella Mae Begay, a Navajo elder and weaver, went missing in 2021 and has never been found.
- Preston Tolth admitted to stealing Begay’s truck, beating her, and leaving her on the side of the road.
- Tolth was the only person charged and convicted regarding Begay’s disappearance.
- Tolth was released from federal prison in June 2026, earlier than scheduled.
- He was arrested on July 4, 2026, after a reported home burglary in Phoenix.
- Tolth was found near the crime scene carrying a pocket knife and wearing clothing matching the suspect’s description.
- Under his supervised release terms, Tolth was not allowed to commit new crimes or possess weapons.
- Tolth violated program rules by returning drunk to his transitional housing facility and left before medical help.
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