Taos Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Assault Charges
In a shocking turn of events, Julian Concha, 26, a member and resident of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to federal assault charges. Concha will be sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Concha was arrested on February 13, 2015, on an indictment charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. The indictment alleged that the crimes were committed on January 15, 2013, in Taos Pueblo in Taos County, New Mexico.
During today’s proceedings, Concha pled guilty to a felony information charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault by striking, beating or wounding. Concha admitted that on January 15, 2013, he assaulted a woman by striking her on the face and head resulting in permanent damage to her left eye, and he assaulted a man by striking, beating and wounding the man’s face and head.
A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled. Concha is currently being held without bond pending sentencing. This case is a disturbing reminder of the violence that can occur in our communities.
This case was investigated by the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Taos Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristopher N. Houghton and Niki Tapia-Brito are prosecuting the case.
The case was brought pursuant to the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico, which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both.
This case highlights the need for greater coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities. The Justice Department’s efforts to increase engagement and support for tribal communities are crucial in addressing the complex issues facing these communities.
Related Federal Cases
- Jason K. Thompson, Assault by Strangulation and Assault with a Deadly Weapon, New Mexico 2025 · Texas
- Preston Marmolejo, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, New Mexico 2013 · New Mexico
- Terrence Fred Cachini, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, New Mexico 2015 · New Mexico
- Henderson Castillo, Assault with a Dangerous Weapon with Intent to Do Bodily Harm, New Mexico 2015 · Puerto Rico
- Chelsey A. Billy, Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, New Mexico 2016 · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Violent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent CrimeViolent Crime