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Press Release

Mescalero Man Charged with Domestic Violence

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 Ronnie Pernell Evans appeared in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with assault by strangulation and/or suffocating a spouse or intimate partner. Evans, 20, of Mescalero, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the criminal complaint, on Nov. 8, 2023, Evans confronted Jane Doe’s outside her house and they got into an argument. When Jane Doe tried to enter the home, Evans blocked her path and grabbed her by the throat with one hand and the back of her head with the other and began pushing her towards her car. Evans and Jane Doe tripped over something on the path and Jane Doe fell backwards and hit the back of her head on concrete. Evans got back up and continued dragging Jane Doe towards his car, at which point a neighbor intervened and Evans fled the scene.

Responding officers later stopped Evans on Highway U.S. 70 and arrested him.

A criminal complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted of the current charge, Evans faces up to 10 years in prison.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joni Autrey Stahl is prosecuting the case.

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24-56

Updated February 5, 2024

Topic
Indian Country Law and Justice
Press Release Number: 24-56