Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
A To’hajiilee man, Antonio Chaco, has been charged with assaulting a federal detention officer at the Cibola County Correctional Facility. The incident occurred on November 5, 2024, while Chaco was in custody awaiting trial for charges of second-degree murder and kidnapping resulting in death.
Court documents reveal that Chaco allegedly attacked a detention officer employed by CoreCivic, Inc., who was assisting the U.S. Marshals Service in supervising federal detainees. During the alleged assault, Chaco reportedly struck, pinned down, and choked the officer.
If found guilty of this new charge, Chaco could face up to 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Additionally, he is scheduled to stand trial for second-degree murder and kidnapping resulting in death on April 21, 2025. A conviction on those charges could result in a life sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and David Barnett, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico announced these developments today.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Marshals Service with Assistant United States Attorney Zachary C. Jones prosecuting both cases.
