Two Mescalero men charged in assault

ALBUQUERQUE – Two Mescalero men are facing federal charges in connection with a unprovoked assault.

According to court documents, on September 11, 2025, John Doe was at a residence within the exterior boundaries of the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation when he was allegedly assaulted without provocation by Harlyn Cody Geronimo, 49, and Raymond Shaun Chee, 28, both enrolled members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Geronimo and Chee allegedly struck John Doe and repeatedly kicked him while he was on the ground, causing him to lose consciousness. As a result of the attack, John Doe sustained multiple injuries, including serious head injuries that required medical treatment.

Witnesses reported that Geronimo, who was wearing steel toed boots, kicked John Doe in the head and that Chee also participated in the assault. After the incident, Chee fled the scene.

Following his arrest, Geronimo’s steel-toed boots were recovered and found to contain dried blood. Geronimo later denied assaulting John Doe, despite witness statements to the contrary.

Geromino and Chee are charged with assault causing serious bodily injury. If convicted of the current charges, Geromino and Chee face ten years in prison.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Silvia Delgado is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint or indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.