ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced today that Julius Mendez was charged by criminal complaint with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault of a spouse, intimate partner or dating partner by strangling. Mendez, 30, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, made an initial appearance in federal court today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
According to the complaint, on April 22, Mendez allegedly attacked the victim as she slept in her home on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The victim, who is also an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, awakened to Mendez allegedly kicking her. Mendez allegedly began damaging the victim’s home, then returned to kicking and punching her until she lost consciousness.
As a result of Mendez’s alleged assault, the victim suffered serious injuries to her head, face and neck and had severe bruising over most of her body.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Mendez faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Eliot Neal are prosecuting the case.
Source: USAO - New Mexico
