September 2, 2010

NEW MEXICO MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ASSAULT ON A FEDERAL OFFICER

DENVER – Ronald Romero, age 46, of Gallup, New Mexico, and a member of the Nambe Pueblo Tribe, was found guilty today of assaulting a federal officer.  The guilty verdict came after a jury deliberated for just under two hours, following a three day jury trial before U.S. District Court Judge Philip A. Brimmer.  The jury trial was held in Durango, Colorado.  A sentencing date has not yet been set for Romero, who appeared at the trial in custody.

According to the indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Denver on October 6, 2009, and other publicly filed documents, Romero did intentionally and forcibly assault a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officer.  Specifically, on November 28, 2008, at the Ute Mountain Ute jail facility in Towaoc, Colorado, Romero grabbed the face of a BIA officer, gouging at the officer’s eye.  The officer’s right cornea was scratched in the assault.

“As this verdict affirms, assaults on federal officers will be prosecuted forcefully and promptly,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh.  “Our law enforcement agents and officers act to protect the public, and are themselves protected by the law.”

The defendant faces not more than 20 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

Romero is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dondi Osborne and Todd Norvell.

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