Jordan Roybal, Assaulting a BIA Officer, NM 2016

Jordan Roybal, 25, an enrolled member of the San Ildefonso Pueblo, has been arrested for assaulting a federal officer. The incident occurred on November 21, 2016, in San Ildefonso Pueblo, Santa Fe County, New Mexico.

According to the criminal complaint, Roybal was taken into custody after allegedly assaulting a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officer. The officer was attempting to arrest Roybal when he resisted and challenged the officer to a fight. During the altercation, Roybal bit the officer on the wrist, causing additional injuries including skinned knees, a scrape on his left hand, swelling of his right knee, and soreness to his left wrist.

Roybal made his initial appearance in federal court in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting a federal officer. He remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, scheduled for March 6, 2017.

The investigation into the incident was conducted by the Santa Fe office of the FBI and the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas is prosecuting the case.

If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Roybal faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. It is essential to note that charges in complaints are merely accusations, and all criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The incident highlights the risks and challenges faced by federal officers in the line of duty. The case against Roybal will proceed through the federal court system, with the upcoming hearings set to determine the next steps in the prosecution.

In the meantime, Roybal will remain in federal custody. The outcome of the case will depend on the evidence presented and the verdict reached by the court. The maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison reflects the seriousness of the charge and the potential consequences for Roybal if convicted.