A man from Dulce, New Mexico, has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly assaulting a woman by strangulation and suffocation. According to court documents, Tyler Vigil, 32, who is an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Tribe, is accused of attacking Jane Doe on April 3, 2025.
Authorities state that Vigil has at least two prior convictions for assault in Indian tribal court. These previous convictions classify him as a habitual offender under federal law.
Vigil faces charges of assault by a habitual offender and assault. He will remain in custody while awaiting trial. The date for the trial has not yet been set. If convicted, Vigil could face up to 10 years in prison.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office.
The investigation was conducted by the Jicarilla Apache Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Pahl is handling the prosecution.
"An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law," officials stated.
