Fort Bliss soldier sentenced to six years for domestic violence against son, assaulting police officer

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- Military officials announced that 27-year-old Specialist Baltazar E. Gonzalez will serve six years in a military correction facility and was dishonorably discharged from the Army after pleading guilty to several charges, including domestic violence after assaulting his 3-year-old son in 2025.

According to officials, while attending a party at a private residence in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 17, 2025, Gonzalez was observed by a witness repeatedly punching his 3-year-old son in the head and chest while outside in the driveway of the home.

Military officials said that officers with the El Paso Police Department responded to the scene and would later arrest Gonzalez. Paramedics responded to the scene and transferred the child to the local hospital, where he remained for two days. Police investigation led to officers discovering security camera footage that captured the assault.

Discussions were made between the country prosecutor’s office and the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC), and it was later decided that the Army would take the lead in prosecuting Gonzalez for all known on-post and off-post offenses. Officials say that included a charge of wrongful use of cocaine from Jan 7, 2025.

The case was transferred to the OSTC, Gonzalez was released from jail, and according to officials, command restricted him to Fort Bliss.

Officials said that Gonzalez violated these conditions on March 9, 2025, when he left Fort Bliss and was pulled over by an El Paso police officer for suspicion of drunk driving. Officials also said that during the traffic stop, Gonzalez became confrontational, assaulted the police officer, and was arrested.

Gonzalez pleaded guilty to domestic violence, as well as wrongful use of cocaine, drunken operation of a vehicle, and assaulting a civilian law enforcement officer. The military judge sentenced him to six years in prison and a dishonorable discharge from the Army.

“This sentencing brings accountability to Spc. Gonzalez’s actions,” said Special Agent in Charge Olga Morales, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division Southwest Field Office. “His senseless attack on a defenseless child represents a grave violation of the professional ethics and values that define the U.S. Army.”

Officials say Gonzalez is currently confined at Otero County Detention Center in Alamogordo, New Mexico, awaiting orders to be transferred to a military corrections facility.