Eddie Jones Jr III, Assault, New Mexico 2014

ALBUQUERQUE - In a shocking turn of events, Eddie Jones Jr III, 23, was sentenced to 35 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for his assault conviction.

Along with his brother and co-defendant, Aldo Jones, 31, Eddie Jones was also ordered to pay $47,574.91 to the Indian Health Services to cover the costs of medical care for the victim of his criminal conduct.

Eddie Jones and Aldo Jones, both enrolled members of the Navajo Nation who reside in Thoreau, N.M., were arrested on August 2013 on a criminal complaint charging them with assault charges arising out of an attack on a 21-year-old Navajo man in Crownpoint, N.M., on July 28, 2013.

According to court filings, Aldo Jones and Eddie Jones assaulted the victim for failing to pay a $50 debt. Aldo Jones repeatedly stabbed the victim in the head, upper back, and right hand with a screwdriver, and both he and Eddie Jones pummeled the victim with their fists.

The victim sustained a life-threatening injury to his head where his skull was punctured. He also sustained stab wounds to his upper back and right hand and a broken nose.

Eddie Jones and Aldo Jones subsequently were charged in a four-count indictment with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault with a dangerous weapon arising from the assault on the 21-year-old victim. Aldo Jones also was charged with two assault charges arising out of an attack on a second victim on July 28, 2013 in Littlewater, N.M.

On December 5, 2013, Eddie Jones entered a guilty plea to assaulting the first victim. In his plea agreement, Eddie Jones admitted beating the victim who also was stabbed by Aldo Jones.

The case was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers.

The defendant will be required to pay $47,574.91 in restitution to the Indian Health Services.

Eddie Jones Jr III is a 23-year-old enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Thoreau, N.M.

The defendant was arrested on August 2013 and charged with assault charges arising out of an attack on a 21-year-old Navajo man in Crownpoint, N.M., on July 28, 2013.

The defendant was sentenced on an unknown date to 35 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/navajo-man-thoreau-sentenced-thirty-five-months-federal-prison-assault-conviction