A shocking act of violence has shaken the small town of Dulce, New Mexico. Tyler Vigil, a 32-year-old enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Indian Tribe, is accused of strangling and suffocating a woman on April 3, 2025.
According to court documents, Vigil’s actions were not his first brush with the law. He has at least two prior convictions in Indian tribal court for assault, making him a habitual offender.
Vigil is charged with assault by a habitual offender and assault. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not yet been scheduled. If convicted, Vigil faces up to 10 years in prison.
The investigation into this case was led by the Jicarilla Apache Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Pahl is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The charges against Vigil are a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance in our communities. As this case moves forward, our thoughts are with the victim and their loved ones.
The case against Tyler Vigil is a complex one, involving allegations of violent assault and prior convictions. As this story continues to unfold, we will provide updates and information as it becomes available.
Related Federal Cases
- Gilbert John, Jr., Kidnapping and Murder, New Mexico 2019 · Puerto Rico
- Patrick Yazzie-Tso, Violent Assault, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Terrence Shije, Violent Domestic Assault, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
- Deandre Lamont Brown, Domestic Intimate Partner Assault, New Mexico · Puerto Rico
- Cornelia Tom Tapaha, DUI Assault with Vehicle, New Mexico · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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