A 23-year-old man has been charged with assaulting a Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) officer on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. According to court documents, the incident took place on May 29, 2025, when Dominic James Isaac Sandoval Peralta, a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, allegedly assaulted and resisted a BIA Office of Justice Services officer.
The officer had responded to reports of property damage at a residence on the reservation after receiving information about a male breaking windows. Upon arrival, Peralta was reportedly acting erratically and yelling. When approached by the officer, Peralta advanced toward him, leading to a physical altercation during which Peralta is accused of punching the officer in the head multiple times. The confrontation ended when the officer used a taser to subdue Peralta and take him into custody.
Peralta faces charges including assault, resistance, and opposition of an officer resulting in physical contact. He will remain in custody until his trial date is set. If convicted, he could face up to eight years in prison.
"Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today."
The case was investigated by the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office with assistance from BIA's Office of Justice Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Dickens is prosecuting.
"A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
Officials noted that this press release was issued on November 13 following the conclusion of the federal government shutdown.
