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Press Release

Isleta Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting Federal Officer

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Ben E. Aragon, 26, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta who resides in Bosque Farms, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to assaulting a federal officer. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Aragon will be sentenced within the range of 18 to 24 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

 

Aragon was charged by criminal complaint on July 28, 2016, with assaulting an officer of the Isleta Pueblo Tribal Police Department, who is commissioned as a Special Law Enforcement Officer by the BIA’s Office of Justice Services. According to the complaint, Aragon assaulted the officer while he was attempting to arrest Aragon on tribal charges of aggravated assault and criminal trespass, and an outstanding tribal arrest warrant.

 

Aragon was indicted on Sept. 13, 2016, and charged with assaulting a federal officer who was engaged in the performance of her official duties on July 23, 2016, on the Isleta Pueblo in Bernalillo County, N.M.

 

During today’s proceedings, Aragon pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on July 23, 2016, he assaulted a federal officer by resisting arrest and kicking the officer in her legs causing bruises while the officer was arresting him for tribal offenses. Aragon remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

 

This case was investigated by the Isleta Pueblo Tribal Police Department and the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquel Ruiz-Velez.

Updated March 14, 2017

Topics
Indian Country Law and Justice
Violent Crime