Isleta Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Louie Valdez, 61, pleaded guilty this morning to a federal assault charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. 

Valdez, a member of Isleta Pueblo who resides in Bosque Farms, N.M., was indicted in Nov. 2012, and charged with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon.  According to the indictment, Valdez seriously injured a man by running over him with a vehicle on Aug. 10, 2011, in Isleta Pueblo. 

During today’s proceedings, Valdez pled guilty to the first count of the indictment charging him with assault with resulting in serious bodily injury.  In his plea agreement, Valdez admitted that on Aug. 10, 2011, he intentionally drove his pickup truck over the victim and the victim suffered serious injuries as a result.

Valdez was remanded into federal custody after entering his guilty plea and will remain detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.  At sentencing, Valdez faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison. 

This case was investigated by the Southern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services with assistance from the Isleta Tribal Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers.