ABQ Times

A Mescalero man is facing charges of assault resulting in serious bodily injury following an alleged attack on a friend. The incident reportedly involved the use of a beer bottle, leading to severe facial injuries for the victim.

According to the criminal complaint, Lewis Michael Bigmouth, 27, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, is accused of assaulting another tribal member on January 5, 2024. The attack allegedly took place on the Mescalero Apache Reservation and resulted in the victim suffering significant injuries, including a partial amputation of his nose that required multiple reconstructive surgeries.

Bigmouth has appeared before a federal judge and remains in custody as he awaits trial. A date for the trial has not yet been set. If convicted, Bigmouth could face up to ten years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez along with Jason T. Stevens, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorneys Joni Autrey Stahl and Kirk Williams are responsible for prosecuting.

It is important to note that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.