ALBUQUERQUE — Swinging a metal bar over and over in an attack on two people resulted in a three-year-10-month prison sentence for a Navajo man.

Matthew Ramone, 32, of Thoreau pleaded guilty Jan. 21, 2020 to assault resulting in serious bodily injury to John Doe and Jane Doe and was sentenced June 14.

The assaults occurred outside John Doe’s residence on the Navajo Nation in McKinley County. According to the plea agreement and other court records, Ramone, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, struck John Doe in the head with a three-foot metal bar on Oct. 16, 2019, causing him to fall to the ground. Ramone continued hitting the victim while he was on the ground. Ramone’s attack caused serious injuries to John Doe, including a depressed skull fracture, bleeding in the brain, multiple rib fractures and a broken scapula.

As Ramone continued to beat John Doe, a second victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe, attempted to protect John Doe by lying on top of him. Ramone continued swinging the metal bar, hitting Jane Doe, causing her serious injuries including a left elbow fracture and a cut scalp.

Both victims were taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for treatment, and John Doe’s injuries were so severe he was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital for emergency care.

Upon his release from prison, Ramone will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Staff Reports