An Española man, Joseph Cata, was charged on April 15 with assault by strangulation following an alleged incident that left the victim with serious injuries.
The case involves allegations of violence inside a residence in Española, New Mexico. According to court documents, on April 3, Cata, age 22 and an enrolled member of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, allegedly struck the victim multiple times in the face using both open and closed hands. He is also accused of twice placing his hands around the victim's neck and applying pressure so that they could not breathe or scream. The attack reportedly ended when a witness intervened.
The victim suffered visible injuries including a bruised right eye, scratches, redness, contusions, and swelling to their face consistent with repeated strikes.
Cata faces charges of assault by strangulation and suffocation. He will remain on conditions of release pending trial; no trial date has been set. If convicted on this charge, he could face up to ten years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison made the announcement regarding these charges. The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case with assistance from the Santa Clara Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting.
Authorities remind that "a criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
