Mescalero Man Charged with Sexual Abuse

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Garrick Richard Shendo-Herrera made an initial appearance in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with sexual abuse. Shendo-Herrera, 34, of Mescalero, will remain in custody pending trial.

According to the complaint, on May 16, 2023, the victim gave Shendo-Herrera a ride home from his workplace. After they arrived at Shendo-Herrera’s residence, Shendo-Herrera allegedly began sexually abusing the victim. Shendo-Herrera stopped assaulting the victim only when a third party interrupted the alleged assault, giving the victim a chance to escape.

An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Shendo-Herrera faces up to life in prison.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau Investigation with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case.

# # #

23-142