Española Man Charged with Assault by Strangulation

ALBUQUERQUE – An Española man has been charged in connection with an alleged assault by strangulation left the victim with serious injuries.

According to court documents, on April 3, 2026, Joseph Cata, 22, an enrolled member of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, allegedly assaulted the victim inside a residence in Española, New Mexico. During the assault, Cata allegedly struck the victim multiple times in the face with both open and closed hands and twice placed his hands around their neck, applying pressure so that they could not breathe or scream. The assault ended after a witness intervened.

As a result of the assault, the victim suffered visible injuries, including a bruised right eye, scratches, redness, contusions, and swelling to their face, consistent with having been struck repeatedly.

Cata is charged with assault by strangulation and suffocation and will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted of the current charge, Cata faces up to 10 years in prison.

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

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Clara Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.