ALBUQUERQUE – Yvon Juteau, 32, from Rancho de Taos, New Mexico, has been hit with a guilty plea in federal court for his part in a brutal assault on Taos Pueblo. The man, who is not of Native American descent, was arraigned today after being implicated in the attack that left an Indian woman and man gravely injured back in 2013.
Juteau’s sentence will be no less than 30 months behind bars, followed by a supervised release term to be decided by the court. The assault, which took place on July 10, 2013, at Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, County, saw Juteau recklessly cause a motor vehicle crash resulting in serious bodily harm to the Indian woman.
Today’s proceeding marked the conclusion of an investigation led by the Northern Pueblos Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Office of Justice Services and the Taos Pueblo Tribal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Spindle is handling the prosecution.
Juteau was apprehended on September 23, 2016, on charges stemming from the incident that shocked the community. Although a sentencing hearing has not been scheduled yet, justice for the victims moves forward with this plea agreement.
As the grim reality of the crime sinks in, the Taos Pueblo community seeks solace in the accountability being enforced by federal authorities. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against violence in Native American communities and the relentless pursuit of justice through legal channels.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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