Las Cruces Woman Charged with Assaulting a Deputy U.S. Marshal
ALBUQUERQUE / Thursday, January 29, 2026 – A Las Cruces woman has been charged by criminal complaint with assaulting a Deputy United States Marshal during an attempted arrest.
According to court documents, on November 6, 2025, the U.S. Marshals Service Southwest Investigative Fugitive Team was attempting to execute a federal arrest warrant at a residence in Las Cruces, New Mexico. When law enforcement prepared to enter the home, the owner, Joann Rickman, 55, became combative.
A Deputy U.S. Marshal restrained Rickman and placed her in handcuffs. She continued resisting, kicking, spitting, and attempting to bite the officer. Once the situation was under control and the investigation at the scene concluded, Rickman was returned to a standing position and her handcuffs were removed. Emergency Medical Services offered medical attention, which she declined.
Later that afternoon, the U.S. Marshal sought medical attention for a thumb sprain and potential exposure to communicable disease.
Rickman is charged with assault of an officer of the United States resulting in physical contact. If convicted of the current charges, Rickman faces eight years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Las Cruces Police Department and New Mexico Air National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan H. Gennari and Mark Saltman are prosecuting the case.
View the Criminal Complaint (Rickman).pdf
An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Mexico
