Dulce Man Pleads Guilty to Assault by a Habitual Offender

ALBUQUERQUE – A Dulce man pleaded guilty to federal charges of assault by a habitual offender for strangling and suffocating a woman after previously being convicted at least twice in tribal court for assault offenses.

According to court documents, on April 3, 2025, Tyler Vigil, 32, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Tribe, assaulted Jane Doe by strangling and suffocating her. Vigil has at least two prior convictions in Indian tribal court for assault.

Vigil pleaded guilty to assault by a habitual offender and faces up to five years in prison at sentencing.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.

The Jicarilla Apache Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Pahl is prosecuting the case.