EL PASO, Texas — A homeless man has been charged with aggravated battery after allegedly attacking another man with a baseball bat on December 24 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Esteban B. Ojeda Jr., 27, is now facing charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon following the incident. He was arrested and is currently incarcerated at the Otero County Detention Center, awaiting his court appearance.
According to court documents obtained by KTSM, the Alamogordo Police Department responded to a welfare check request on a man found in an Auto Zone parking lot at 215 N. White Sands Blvd. When officers arrived, they discovered 41-year-old Dean Ahidley suffering from a large wound on his forehead, just above his left eye. The wound appeared to be serious, and officers initially suspected it might be a gunshot wound.
Ahidley was immediately transferred to a hospital in El Paso for further treatment. After arriving on the scene, officers interviewed two other men at the location—Esteban Ojeda Jr. and David Maillelle—who were both homeless. Ojeda denied being involved in the incident, but officers noticed blood on his clothing and body, which appeared to suggest he had been in a physical altercation.
Maillelle, who agreed to speak with authorities, explained that all three men had been drinking alcohol at a campsite west of the Auto Zone. He said that Ahidley had criticized their living conditions, calling the campsite “gross” and a “terrible way to live.” Following this, Maillelle reported hearing a “scuffle” between Ahidley and Ojeda. Afterward, Ahidley returned to the campsite, appearing drunk with his head down, while Ojeda reportedly commented, “I showed him” or “I got him.”
Maillelle, however, did not hear any gunshots and stated that Ojeda had previously threatened to use a baseball bat against others. Investigators later searched the campsite and found signs of a struggle, including disturbed dirt in front of a tent and a large amount of blood. They also discovered Ahidley’s cell phone and a bloodstained baseball bat.
Upon further investigation, police noted that the wound on Ahidley’s head was consistent with blunt force trauma, likely caused by an object like a baseball bat. A physician treating Ahidley at the hospital confirmed that there was no evidence of a gunshot wound and that the injury was more consistent with blunt force.
Ojeda was also served with a bench warrant for failing to comply with conditions of release from a previous incident. He is currently awaiting further proceedings for the aggravated battery charge.
As the investigation continues, authorities urge the public to stay informed for updates.
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