Thoreau Man Pleads Guilty to Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury

ALBUQUERQUE – A Thoreau man pleaded guilty in federal court to charges arising from the shooting of his friend during a drunken argument.

Gerrick Mariano, 26 years old, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

According to court records, on August 20, 2022, Mariano and his friend, John Doe, were drinking alcohol when they got into a verbal argument. Afterwards, Mariano pointed a rifle at John Doe’s chest; Doe pushed the barrel of the rifle away. The rifle accidentally discharged, and a bullet struck John Doe in his right shoulder.

John Doe had to be airlifted to a hospital for medical treatment and continues to experience limited use of his right shoulder.

At sentencing, Mariano faces up to 10 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. He must also make restitution to Doe for expenses directly linked to his crime.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation, New Mexico State Police, and New Mexico Park Rangers. Assistant United States Attorney Zachary Jones is prosecuting the case.

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