Gallup Man Sentenced for Beating and Choking His Dating Partner

ALBUQUERQUE – A Gallup man was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for strangling his dating partner and leaving her with life-threatening injuries.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of March 6, 2024, Victor Badonie, 33, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, assaulted and strangled Jane Doe. During this attack, Badonie menaced Doe in various ways—he punched Doe in her face multiple times, he choked her by pinning her down using his forearm against her neck, he ripped her hair out, and he broke her phone as she tried to phone for help. Doe ultimately drove herself to a Zuni-area hospital, where she was then taken by helicopter to UNMH in Albuquerque due to the severity of her injuries, which included bleeding in Doe’s brain.

Badonie pleaded guilty to the felony crimes of assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault by strangulation. Upon his release from prison, Badonie will be subject to three years of supervised release. Badonie must also pay $27,801 in criminal restitution, an amount attributable to Doe’s medical bills caused by Badonie’s criminality.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Zuni Pueblo Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones is prosecuting the case.