Jemez Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting A Federal Officer

ALBUQUERQUE – Gerald Toya, 40, an enrolled member and resident of Jemez Pueblo, N.M., pled guilty on Aug. 31, 2018, to assaulting a federal officer.

Toya was arrested on May 24, 2018, on a two-count indictment charging him with assaulting a federal officer, and assault with a dangerous weapon.  According to the indictment, Toya committed the offenses on Nov. 28, 2017, on the Jemez Pueblo in Sandoval County, N.M.

On Aug. 31, 2018, Toya pled guilty to assaulting a federal officer.  In entering the guilty plea, Toya admitted that on Nov. 28, 2017, he threw a glass bottle at a federal law enforcement officer engaged in the performance of his official duty.  Toya acknowledged that the glass bottle struck the officer in the hip.

At sentencing, Toya faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Pueblo of Jemez Tribal Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Spindle.