Patrick Valencia, Assaulting Intimate Partner, New Mexico 2018

ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO - A federal indictment has charged a Laguna Pueblo man with assaulting his intimate partner by strangling or suffocating her. Patrick Valencia, 49, of Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico, was arraigned on the federal charges this morning and entered a not guilty plea.

According to the indictment, Valencia allegedly committed the crimes on August 5, 2018, in the Pueblo of Laguna, Cibola County, New Mexico. The U.S. Marshal's Service arrested Valencia on July 17, 2019, at the Pueblo of Laguna Detention Facility.

The indictment charges Valencia with aggravated assault of an intimate partner by strangulation or suffocation and domestic assault by a habitual offender. If convicted, Valencia faces up to 10 years of imprisonment on the assault charge and up to 5 years on the domestic assault charge.

Valencia had previously been convicted of domestic assaults in the Tribal Court for the Pueblo of Laguna on four prior occasions. He is currently being held at the Pueblo of Laguna Detention Facility.

The BIA Office of Justice Services investigated this case with assistance from the Pueblo of Laguna Tribal Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Murphy is prosecuting the case.

Valencia's current status is being held pending trial. The exact date of the trial is not specified in the indictment. This case highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence in New Mexico.

Defendant: Patrick Valencia, 49, of Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico

Criminal Charges: Aggravated Assault of an Intimate Partner by Strangulation or Suffocation and Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender

City and State: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Exact Date of Crime: August 5, 2018

Sentence or Outcome: Currently being held pending trial, faces up to 10 years of imprisonment and up to 5 years on the domestic assault charge

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/laguna-pueblo-man-charged-assaulting-intimate-partner-strangling-or-suffocating-and