Two Mescalero Men Plead Guilty to Assault

ALBUQUERQUE – Two Mescalero men pleaded guilty to federal assault charges stemming from an unprovoked attack that left a victim with serious head injuries.

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 assaulted by Harlyn Cody Geronimo, 50, and Raymond Shaun Chee, 28, both enrolled members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. Geronimo and Chee struck John Doe in the head during the assault. Geronimo also struck John Doe with his fists and a pair of rain boots and kicked him while he was on the ground. The assault caused significant contusions and a 4-centimeter scalp laceration to John Doe’s head and resulted in serious bodily injury.

Witnesses reported that Geronimo, who was wearing steel-toed boots, kicked John Doe in the head. 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.

Geronimo and Chee pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. At sentencing, they face up to 10 years in prison followed by up to three years of supervised release.

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

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. The Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.