Taos Pueblo man pleads guilty to kidnapping and assault

United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico Alexander M.M. Uballez announced in a press release that Richard Mascarenas, 37, a resident and enrolled member of Taos Pueblo, pleaded guilty on

Friday (Jan. 13) to one count each of kidnapping, assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault of an intimate partner by strangling and suffocating.

According to the plea agreement and other court records, from Apr. 17, 2022, to May 4, 2022, Mascarenas assaulted Jane Doe and held her against her will at a residence in Taos Pueblo. In his plea, Mascarenas admitted that he would not allow

Jane Doe to leave, contact her family or report the assaults because he feared repercussions.

Mascarenas admitted that he assaulted Jane Doe with physical blows and strangulation, causing serious bodily injury. Medical imaging and records show the victim suffered blood clots and a stroke, as well as tears to her carotid artery.

By the terms of the plea agreement, Mascarenas faces nine years in prison. He will remain in custody pending sentencing, the hearing of which is scheduled for Apr. 19. According to a press release from the FBI on May 26, 2022, Mascarenas faced 10 years for assault and a life sentence for kidnapping and aggravated sexual abuse, if convicted.

This case was investigated by the Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety.