Eastern Oregon man sentenced to federal prison for assaulting girlfriend on Burns Paiute Indian Reservation

BAKER CITY – (US Attorney General’s Office press release) A Baker City, Oregon man was sentenced to serve time in a federal prison Tuesday for attacking his then-girlfriend on the Burns Paiute Indian Reservation in March 2023.

Skyhawk Teeman Garcia, 29, was sentenced to 27 months in a federal prison and three years probation.

According to court documents, on March 11, 2023, Garcia went to his then-girlfriend's home on the Burns Paiute Indian Reservation while drunk and demanded access to her phone. When she refused, Garcia, a former mixed martial arts fighter, became angry and put the victim in a chokehold and strangled him. The victim's child intervened, at which point Garcia released the victim and then called 911. Garcia punched several holes in a wall before leaving the house.

Police arrived as Garcia was leaving the house. He told the officer that he had been arguing with his girlfriend and had been punching walls, but denied attacking the victim.

On April 20, 2023, a federal grand jury in Eugene indicted Garcia on a charge of assault by strangulation. One year later, on April 24, 2024, he pleaded guilty to that single count.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs Police and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Sweet.

Domestic violence can include both physical and emotional abuse and is often hidden from the public eye. Many victims suffer in silence, afraid to seek help or not knowing where to turn. The traumatic effects of domestic violence extend beyond the abused person to include family members, friends and the community.

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

If you need help or know someone who needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). Many communities across the country have also established support networks to help survivors recover.

The StrongHearts Native Helpline provides culturally specific support and advocacy for American Indians and Alaska Natives who are victims of domestic violence. For more information, call 1-844-762-8483 or visit www.strongheartshelpline.org.