Navajo man sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for assault in Indian Country

             ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Matthew Ramone, 32, of the Thoreau, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced on June 14 in federal court to three years and 10 months in prison for assaulting two victims resulting in serious bodily injury. Ramone pleaded guilty on January 21, 2020.

            According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Oct. 16, 2019, Ramone struck John Doe in the head with a three-foot metal bar, causing him to fall to the ground. Ramone continued hitting the victim as he lay on the ground. Ramone’s attack caused serious injuries to John Doe, including a depressed skull fracture, bleeding in the brain, multiple rib fractures and a broken scapula.

            As Ramone continued to beat John Doe, a second victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe, attempted to protect John Doe by laying atop him. Ramone continued swinging the metal bar, hitting Jane Doe, causing her serious injuries including a left elbow fracture and cutting her scalp. Both victims were taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for treatment, and John Doe’s injuries were so severe he was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital for emergency care.

            The assaults occurred outside John Doe’s residence on the Navajo Nation in McKinley County, New Mexico. 

            Upon his release from prison, Ramone will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.

            The case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Office of the FBI and the Crownpoint Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Jaros prosecuted the case.