A Zuni man has been charged in federal court following a violent incident at a residence in Zuni, New Mexico, where he allegedly assaulted a victim with a sharp-edged weapon.
According to court documents, D’ante Kekoa Pooacha-Thomas, 30, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Zuni, allegedly attacked an older male inside their shared residence on June 2, 2024. He reportedly used a knife or box cutter, inflicting a severe neck wound and additional cuts to the victim's face, hands, forearms, and legs. When two other residents intervened, Pooacha-Thomas allegedly struck one with a baseball bat.
As the injured victim was being transported to a medical facility, Pooacha-Thomas allegedly stole one of their cars and followed them, attempting to run them off the road. He faces two felony charges: Assault resulting in serious bodily injury and Assault with a dangerous weapon. If convicted, Pooacha-Thomas could face up to 10 years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced the charges. The case was investigated by the FBI’s Gallup Resident Agency with assistance from the Zuni Pueblo Police Department. Pooacha-Thomas has been released to La Pasada halfway house under strict conditions pending his trial. An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.