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Press Release

San Felipe Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault Charges

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

ALBUQUERQUE – Earlier today, Valentino Sanchez, 33, a member and resident of San Felipe Pueblo, N.M., pled guilty to two federal assault charges under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Sanchez pled guilty to assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. In entering his guilty plea, Sanchez admitted assaulting a San Felipe Pueblo woman on May 14, 2012, with a stick. He also admitted that the victim sustained serious bodily injuries as a result of the assault. The offenses occurred on San Felipe Pueblo land.

Court records reflect that Sanchez was arrested on May 22, 2012, after investigation revealed that he had assaulted the victim by repeatedly striking and punching her on the head and back with his hands, kicking her, and striking her on the head and back with a stick. As a result of the assault, the victim suffered an orbital fracture to the right side of her face and a small traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage to the left front part of the brain.

Sanchez has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Sanchez faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Office of Justice Services, Southern Pueblos Agency, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez.

Updated January 26, 2015