Lance Cojo, Domestic Assault on an Intimate Partner, New Mexico 2021

A brutal domestic assault case has come to light in New Mexico as Lance Cojo, a 36-year-old man from Mescalero, pleaded guilty to assaulting his intimate partner, identified as Jane Doe, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Otero County.

Cojo’s heinous crimes resulted in serious injuries to Jane Doe, a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, who suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs, and bruising to her face, neck, and ribs. The assaults occurred on December 31, 2021, and continued into the following day.

The investigation revealed that Cojo stomped on Jane Doe’s foot, hit her in the head multiple times, bit her cheek, and burned her on her right shoulder with a pipe used for smoking drugs. He also grabbed her by the throat to strangle her.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Matilda McCarthy Villalobos is prosecuting the case.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Cojo faces a 2-year prison term followed by 3 years of supervised release. He will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

The Mescalero Apache Tribe’s community is reeling from this violent incident, and the charges against Cojo highlight the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions.

Lance Cojo’s case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the need for continued support and resources for victims.

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