Jaydyn Diamond Lester, Assault, New Mexico 2022

Lester Charged in Mescalero Assault

A Mescalero man has been charged with assault in Indian Country, according to federal authorities.

Jaydyn Diamond Lester, 18, of Mescalero, New Mexico, has been accused of assault with a dangerous weapon with an intent to do bodily harm and assault resulting in substantial bodily injury of a spouse, intimate partner, or dating partner in Indian Country.

The incidents allegedly occurred on October 4, 2022, in Otero County, New Mexico, within the bounds of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, according to a federal complaint.

The complaint alleges that Lester shot at the victim, Jane Doe, and hit her on the head with the butt of a BB gun, resulting in serious bodily injury.

Lester is currently in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

Assistant United States Attorney Eliot Neal is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

This is a developing story and we will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/mescalero-man-charged-assault-indian-country-2