FRESNO -  A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment today against Luis Eduardo Sanchez-Azpeitia, 46, of Mexico City, charging him with sexual abuse and abusive sexual contact, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.

According to court documents, on July 31, 2023, Sanchez-Azpeitia entered a woman’s cabin in Sequoia National Park and committed one act of sexual assault and acts of abusive sexual contact. The victim did not consent to any of the defendant’s sexual conduct, repeatedly told the defendant no, and tried to make him stop his sexual advances.

If convicted, Sanchez-Azpeitia faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $250,000 fine. Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after considering any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider several variables.

The charges are only allegations; the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.