Emilio Morales, Child Abuse, New Mexico 2025

State: New Mexico
Category: Violent Crime
Source: <a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/mescalero-man-pleads-guilty-child-abuse" style="color:#cc0000;" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">DOJ Press Release ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â‚¬Â Ã¢â‚¬â€

A Mescalero man has been convicted of a heinous crime that put two young lives in danger. Emilio Morales, 24, pleaded guilty to child abuse after firing a handgun near two minor children and threatening to kill himself while holding the firearm in front of them.

The incident occurred on August 26, 2025, in the Mescalero community. Morales, who was intoxicated at the time, fired a handgun multiple times near the two children, who are enrolled members of the Mescalero Apache Tribe. When police arrived with their weapons drawn, Morales held one of the children and demanded that officers shoot him.

According to court documents, Morales’ actions put the children in a situation that endangered their lives. Fortunately, no one was injured during the incident.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jackson K. Dering V is prosecuting the case.

At sentencing, Morales faces 6 to 12 months imprisonment followed by a one-year term of supervised release. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of child abuse and the importance of protecting the vulnerable members of our society.

Emilio Morales is scheduled to be sentenced in the coming months. The community is holding its breath, hoping that justice will be served and that the children will be able to heal from this traumatic experience.

As the investigation and prosecution of this case continue, the people of Mescalero and beyond are left to wonder how such a heinous crime could occur. It is a sobering reminder of the importance of prioritizing the safety and well-being of our children.

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