ALBUQUERQUE – Jordan Roybal, 25, an enrolled member of the San Ildefonso Pueblo who resides in San Felipe Pueblo, N.M., made his initial appearance today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting a federal officer.
According to the criminal complaint, Roybal was arrested on Nov. 21, 2016, after he allegedly assaulted a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officer. The assault allegedly occurred on San Ildefonso Pueblo in Santa Fe County, N.M., when Roybal was allegedly resisting arrest and challenging the officer to a fight. During the assault, which occurred while the officer was arresting Roybal, Roybal bit the officer on the wrist. In addition, the officer sustained skinned knees, a scrape on his left hand, swelling of his right knee and soreness to his left wrist.Roybal remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, which are currently scheduled for March 6, 2017.
If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Roybal faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Charges in complaints are merely accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Santa Fe office of the FBI and the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas is prosecuting the case.