U.S. Attorney's Office Secures Conviction of Albuquerque Man for Assaulting Federal Officer

ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury has convicted an Albuquerque man of assaulting a federal officer at the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, New Mexico, following a three-day trial that concluded after just over two hours of deliberation.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on November 15, 2022, Anthony Hernandez, who was in custody at the Cibola County Correctional Center awaiting trial for a federal firearms offense, attacked a security consultant contracted by CoreCivic, the company that manages and operates the Cibola County Correctional Center. The assault occurred during a routine inspection of Hernandez's cell.

Surveillance video captured Hernandez pushing open his unlocked cell door and launching an unprovoked attack on the victim. The security consultant, who was assisting with the cell inspection, suffered cuts, bruises, a concussion, and a broken nose that required surgery.

Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Hernandez remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Hernandez faces up to 20 years in prison.

There is no parole in the federal system.

Hernandez was also convicted by a federal jury after trial in October of 2024 for being a felon in possession of a firearm in an unrelated offense.

Hernandez is currently under indictment for a second assault on a federal officer in March 2023, while being held at the Otero County Prison Facility.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and United States Marshal David Barnett made the announcement today.

The U.S. Marshals Service investigated this case with the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Elena Stiteler and Kimberly Bell are prosecuting the case.

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