Albuquerque –
We have now learned what prompted the SWAT response and hours-long standoff near Golf Course Rd and Westside Blvd on Sunday on the border of Rio Rancho and Albuquerque. Joseph Howard, 43, of Albuquerque is being charged with domestic violence charges.
According to a criminal complaint, Joseph Howard was taken into custody following an extended SWAT situation at Cabezon Storage in Rio Rancho. The complaint details that the incident stemmed from a domestic violence investigation in Albuquerque, where earlier that day, allegations of assault and strangulation had been reported.
The criminal complaint states officers from the Albuquerque Police Department responded to an apartment in northwest Albuquerque on May 31 after a woman said her boyfriend, Howard, had assaulted and strangled her. When officers arrived, they observed visible injuries to her neck. She told officers he refused to leave after numerous requests. Howard battered and strangled the woman throughout the night.
She also told police that Howard took her cellphone after she said she was going to call 911, he then threatened to throw the phone off a balcony. The complaint states that she eventually found her phone and she informed investigators that she had concealed both her phone and her wallet due to her concerns that Howard would take them from her.
The victim said the confrontation escalated as she continued telling Howard the relationship was over and demanded he leave. She stated Howard forced her to the floor and placed his foot on the back of her head while applying significant pressure. The criminal complaint details that the woman told police she has a traumatic brain injury that Howard was aware of prior to him stepping on her head, and that during the incident she also said she screamed that she had a traumatic brain injury and told him to stop.
Before leaving, Howard allegedly threw alcohol in her face. The victim then secured her apartment and called 911.
Investigators learned Howard both lived and worked at Cabezon Storage in Rio Rancho. The complaint reveals that Howard worked as a manager at Cabezon Storage and resides in a house above the storage facility.
APD officers attempted to contact Howard at the storage facility with assistance from the Rio Rancho Police Department, but initial efforts were unsuccessful. Around 1:30 PM on Sunday, May 31, tips to our newsroom began coming in indicating that the Rio Rancho Police Department’s SWAT team was on scene at Cabezon Storage, with APD officers providing perimeter assistance.
Howard was taken into custody just before 4:30 PM following the SWAT standoff.
Court records show Howard is now facing three charges of Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member (Strangulation or Suffocation).
Prior Criminal History Including Multiple Battery-Related Convictions
Howard has a previous criminal history which mostly includes battery. On August 1, 2004, Howard was charged with battery against a household member and two counts of failure to appear in court. Court records show that on November 23, 2004, he entered a no contest plea to one count of failure to appear in court and was found guilty. On January 21, 2005, the battery against a household member charge was resolved through pre-adjudication diversion.
On June 15, 2005, Howard was charged with battery and criminal damage to property. Court records show that on December 1, 2005, he was found guilty of battery, while the criminal damage to property charge was dismissed by the prosecutor as part of a plea agreement.
On September 23, 2005, Howard was charged with harassment via telephone involving a domestic violence-related offense. Court records show that on December 1, 2005, he entered an amended guilty plea on the charge.
In October 2006, Howard was charged with multiple counts of inflicting great bodily harm or using a deadly weapon in a manner capable of causing death or serious injury, as well as multiple counts of aggravated battery with great bodily harm or use of a deadly weapon.
Court records show the case was noted as “dismissed – case proceeding in district court” in March 2007. On March 8, 2007, Howard was later charged with aggravated battery against a household member (deadly weapon/great bodily harm) and aggravated battery (deadly weapon/great bodily harm), with several of the original 2006 charges not carried forward.
On July 1, 2008, Howard pleaded guilty to aggravated battery against a household member (deadly weapon/great bodily harm). The remaining charge was dismissed.
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