Lestat Cree Valdez, Assault, New Mexico 2023

A shocking act of violence shook the tight-knit community of Mescalero, New Mexico, when 21-year-old Lestat Cree Valdez, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, brutally assaulted a fellow tribe member on May 18, 2023.

According to court records, Valdez assaulted Jane Doe, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache tribe by straddling her and stabbing her repeatedly in the head, face, and chest with a knife, causing Jane Doe to suffer serious bodily injury.

Valdez's heinous crime caught the attention of federal authorities, who promptly launched an investigation into the incident. The case was eventually handed over to the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, which worked closely with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to gather evidence and build a strong case against the defendant.

On [date], Valdez pleaded guilty in federal court to charges arising from the assault. The defendant now faces up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

The U.S. Attorney's Office, led by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office, led by Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge, made the announcement today.

Assistant United States Attorneys Joni Autrey Stahl and Eliot Neal are prosecuting the case, bringing the perpetrator to justice.

The community of Mescalero is breathing a sigh of relief now that Valdez has pleaded guilty, knowing that justice will be served and the defendant will face consequences for his actions.

As the case comes to a close, it serves as a reminder of the importance of community vigilance and the swift action of law enforcement in bringing perpetrators to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/mescalero-man-pleads-guilty-assault-1