Kurtis Dale Pleads Guilty to Armed Robbery, Beating His Former Partner with a Bat

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Third Judicial District Attorney Fernando Macias announced Thursday that Kurtis Allan Dale pleaded guilty to armed robbery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon on a household member in connection with the November 2025 beating of his former partner.

Minutes before his scheduled jury trial on Thursday morning, Dale, 42, admitted that he drove to Burn Lake on the night of Nov. 20, 2025, intending to attack the victim who was sitting inside of a friend’s car in the parking lot.

When Dale arrived, he parked behind the victim’s vehicle, punctured its rear tires and left the scene. A few minutes later, he returned with two accomplices and exited the vehicle carrying a baseball bat.

The accomplices held the victim down while Dale struck the victim several times with the bat. The victim fell to the ground, and Dale delivered another blow to the left side of the victim’s head. The bat broke in half during the attack. Still armed with half of the bat, Dale took the cellphone from the victim’s friend and fled the scene.

A witness called the police and checked on the victim who was lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

Fearing Dale would return, the victim left the scene and went home, where they took pictures of their injuries before losing consciousness. A few days later, the victim went to the hospital for treatment and reported the assault to police.

“This was an extreme act of violence that left the victim seriously injured and afraid of further retaliation,” said District Attorney Fernando Macias. “No victim should have to live in fear of being attacked again. Our office remains committed to seeking justice on behalf of victims in our community.”

“We commend the victim for being brave enough to come forward and report the assault despite being in fear of retaliation,” said Deputy District Attorney Tomas Medina. “We also recognize the defendant’s decision to plead guilty, allowing this case to move forward without putting the victim through trial.”

Dale’s two accomplices have also been charged. Jacklyn Garcia, 34, is charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Eufemia Villa, 34, is charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Both trials are scheduled for Nov. 23, 2026.

A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. The State is seeking a 5-year sentence.

Deputy District Attorney Tomas Medina prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of New Mexico following an investigation by the Las Cruces Police Department.