Man pleads guilty to beating former partner with bat, robbery in Las Cruces

Editor's note: This article has been updated with the accomplices' correct ages.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- A 42-year-old man pleaded guilty to beating his former partner with a bat and robbery, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday.

The Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said Kurtis Allan Dale admitted he intended to attack the victim at Burn Lake in Las Cruces in November 2025.

He pleaded guilty to armed robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a household member. A sentencing date hasn't been scheduled, and the state seeks a five-year sentence.

Dale parked behind the victim's vehicle, punctured its rear tires and left, officials said. He later returned with two people -- Jacklyn Garcia and Eufemia Villa -- and a baseball bat.

The women held the victim down while Dale hit the victim with the bat, officials said. The bat broke in half during the attack.

Officials said Dale took the victim's cellphone and left.

A witness called police about the attack and checked on the victim, who lay on the ground in a pool of blood, the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office said.

Fearing Dale would return, the victim went home seriously injured, according to District Attorney Fernando Macias.

Garcia, who is 34 years old, was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Villa, also 34, was charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Their trials have been scheduled for Nov. 23.