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Press Release

Man Charged with Assaulting Federal Officers with a Vehicle

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

ALBUQUERQUE – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that Steven O’Neil appeared in federal court on an indictment charging him with two counts of assaulting and impeding a federal employee using a deadly and dangerous weapon. O’Neil, 39, will remain in temporary custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled.

According to court records, on December 21, 2021, O’Neil was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and sentenced to 27 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release. On August 11, 2023, the court issued an arrest warrant because O’Neil absconded from his term of supervised release.  On August 15, 2023, as John Doe 1 and John Doe 2, officers with the U.S. Marshals Service, executed the arrest warrant, O’Neil intentionally assaulted John Doe 1 and John Doe 2 with a black Chevrolet Suburban while the officers were engaged in their official duties.

An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, O’Neil faces up to 20 years imprisonment and up to three years of supervised release thereafter.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case with the assistance of the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva M. Fontanez is prosecuting the case.

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24-2

Updated January 2, 2024

Topic
Violent Crime
Press Release Number: 24-2