Member of Santo Domingo Pueblo charged with Assault on federal officers

            ALBUQUERQUE –  Stephen Reano, 21, of Santo Domingo, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of Santo Domingo Pueblo, appeared in federal court on July 23, 2020, for an arraignment on an indictment charging him with two counts of assault on a federal officer with a deadly and dangerous weapon.

According to the indictment and other court records, on June 11, 2020, Bureau of Indian Affairs patrol officers responded to calls about an individual – later identified as Stephen Reano – armed with a firearm in Santo Domingo Pueblo. During the nighttime search, officers eventually located Reano, who was carrying a rifle. At various times during the encounter, Reano pointed his rifle at two officers and tracked them with his rifle while moving toward them. Following repeated directives to drop his weapon, Reano eventually was shot by one of the officers. He was transported and treated at University of New Mexico Hospital before being released and then arrested.

            Reano is in custody pending trial, which has yet to be scheduled.  He faces 20 years in prison if convicted of the charged offenses. 

            Indictments are only allegations.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

            The case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rozzoni is prosecuting the case.