Convicted Murderer Sentenced to Additional Prison Time for Assaulting Detention Officer

ALBUQUERQUE – Antonio Chaco, a convicted murderer already serving a federal prison sentence for the 2020 murder of Thomas Brown, received additional prison time for attacking a CoreCivic detention officer while in federal custody awaiting that murder trial.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on November 5, 2024, Chaco, 42, assaulted a CoreCivic detention officer at the Cibola County Correctional Center. After the officer opened Chaco’s cell door, Chaco launched a surprise attack, punching her repeatedly in the face, attempting to throw her over a second-floor railing, and then taking her to the ground, where he straddled and strangled her.

Following the assault, medical staff evaluated the officer and documented bruising and swelling on the left side of her face, and she later sought additional treatment at a local hospital for neck, arm, and facial pain.

At the time of the assault, Chaco was in federal custody awaiting trial in connection with the 2020 killing of Thomas Brown, whom he beat and abandoned in the To’Hajiilee wilderness without food, water, or shelter. Chaco later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in that case and was sentenced to 17 years in prison.

In this case, the Court imposed a second 46-month term of imprisonment for the assault. 24 months of that sentence will run consecutively, resulting in an additional two-year period of incarceration beyond the 17-year sentence Chaco is already serving.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and United States Marshal David Barnett made the announcement today.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary C. Jones and Brittany DuChaussee prosecuted both cases.