U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Mescalero Man Pleads Guilty to Assault
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE – A Mescalero man pled guilty to assaulting and strangling a victim.
According to court documents, on October 23, 2025, Lance Marion Cojo, 39, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, assaulted and strangled Jane Doe during an argument.
Cojo pleaded guilty to assault and faces up to five years in prison at sentencing.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Dickens is prosecuting the case.
Updated June 26, 2026
Topic
Indian Country Law and Justice
Component