Ohkay Owingeh Man Facing Federal Assault and Firearms Charges Arising Out of Assault on Tribal Police Officer

ALBUQUERQUE – Ronald J. Martinez, 43, a member and resident of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, N.M., made his initial appearance this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on assault and firearms charges. Martinez remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for May 1, 2017.

Martinez is charged in a criminal complaint with assault with a dangerous weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm on April 20, 2017, on the Ohkay Owingeh Indian Reservation in Rio Arriba County, N.M. According to the complaint, an Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Police Officer responded to a call at a residence on the Ohkay Owingeh Indian Reservation regarding an alleged fight between and a woman over a firearm. When the officer arrived, allegedly assaulted the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Police Officer with a stick while the officer was attempting to arrest Martinez.

The complaint alleges that officers recovered a loaded firearm at the scene, leading to the firearms charge against Martinez, who is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his prior felony convictions for assault resulting in serious bodily injury and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a violent crime.

If convicted on the charges in the criminal complaint, Martinez faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison on the assault charge and the firearms charge. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas.