ALBUQUERQUE - Two members of the Navajo Nation who reside in Thoreau, N.M., have entered guilty pleas to federal assault charges under plea agreements with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Aldo Jones, 30, entered his guilty plea on Dec. 4, 2013, and his brother Eddie Jones, Jr., III, 23, entered his guilty plea yesterday afternoon.
Aldo and Eddie Jones were arrested in early Aug. 2013, based on a criminal complaint charging them with assault charges arising out of an attack on a 21-year-old Navajo man in Crownpoint, N.M., on July 28, 2013. According to court filings, Aldo and Eddie Jones assaulted the victim for failing to pay a $50 debt. Aldo repeatedly stabbed the victim in the head, upper back and right hand with a screwdriver, and both he and Eddie pummeled the victim with their fists. The victim sustained a life-threatening injury to his head where his skull was punctured. He also sustained stab wounds to his upper back and right hand and a broken nose.
Aldo and Eddie Jones subsequently were charged in a four-count indictment with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon arising from the assault on the 21-year-old victim. Aldo Jones also was charged with two assault charges arising out of an attack on a second victim on July 28, 2013, in Littlewater, N.M.
On Dec. 4, 2013, Aldo Jones pled guilty to two assault charges and admitted assaulting the two victims on July 28, 2013. He admitted assaulting the first victim at approximately 5:00 p.m. by stabbing him with a screwdriver. Aldo Jones also admitted stabbing the second victim with a knife approximately two hours later when the second victim confronted him about stabbing his cousin, the first victim. At sentencing, Aldo Jones faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison on each assault charge. He remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Eddie Jones entered a guilty plea to assaulting the first victim. In his plea agreement, Eddie Jones admitted beating the victim who also was stabbed by Aldo Jones. At sentencing, Eddie Jones faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison for each assault charge. He remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
The case was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
