A man from Nambe Pueblo in New Mexico says an eight-year sentence handed down by his tribe's court violates the Indian Civil Rights Act (ICRA).

Ronald Romero was given the lengthy sentence on a domestic violence charge. But a federal magistrate said ICRA restricts tribal court punishments to one year per crime.

The magistrate's recommendation, however, has not been adopted by a federal judge. Romero has apparently been in custody since at least November 2008, meaning he's already served more than one year on the charge.

But Romero could end up serving even more time on a federal assault charge. During his stay at a detention facility operated by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe of Colorado, he allegedly gouged the eye of a Bureau of Indian Affairs officer.

Romero faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted in federal court.

Get the Story:
Towaoc jail assault case will continue (The Durango Herald 6/11)