Russell Wheeler, 49, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, was taken into custody after a violent altercation left a victim bleeding from his face and mouth.
According to a criminal complaint and other court records, on May 22, Wheeler and another man allegedly argued briefly when Wheeler shot the victim in the face with a revolver. Wheeler allegedly fled the scene on a motorcycle, leaving the victim for medical attention.
The victim was taken to an urgent care clinic and later to the University of New Mexico Hospital for treatment.
Russell Wheeler, a previously convicted felon, cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition due to his convictions of possession of a controlled substance in 2005 and aggravated fleeing from law enforcement in 2007.
If convicted, Wheeler faces up to 10 years in prison for the federal firearms violation.
The FBI Violent Crime Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Valencia County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Jaymie L. Roybal and Alexander Uballez are prosecuting the case.
Russell Wheeler will remain in custody pending trial.
Related Federal Cases
- Felon’s Gun Grip: 27-Year-Old Alshekhly Charged with Firearm Possession · Alabama
- Andre Kase Jr, Possession of Stolen Firearm, Cedar Rapids IA, 2013 · Iowa
- Roman I Trujillo, Home Invasion, New Mexico 2015 · New Mexico
- Rob Begay, Involuntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Tracey Beaver, Involuntary Manslaughter, New Mexico 2016 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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