Taos Man Who Assaulted Mother and Set Home and Garage on Fire Sentenced to 18 Years
Taos, NM — Today, Eighth Judicial District Judge Jeffery Shannon sentenced Taos resident Jason Bustillos to 18 years in prison following his guilty plea to three felony charges: two counts of second-degree arson involving property valued at more than $20,000, and one count of third-degree aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
During sentencing, Prosecutor Jonathan Gardner emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating the case was “serious,” and the Victim survived “miraculously” and was not only brutally injured, but also lost her home. Gardner noted that the court had previously recognized the defendant’s danger to the community by granting the District Attorney’s motion for pretrial detention. Given the serious nature of the case, the state sought a substantial term of incarceration.
The court also heard emotional statements from the victim and others, who described the devastating physical and emotional toll of the assault and arsons. Speakers detailed the long‑lasting trauma experienced by the victim and her family, highlighting profound feelings of betrayal, heartbreak, and loss.
“This case represents a devastating violation of trust and safety within a family, and our hearts are with the victim and her loved ones as they continue to navigate the aftermath,” District Attorney Marcus Montoya said. “Their willingness to come forward, to endure this process, and to speak their truth in court demonstrates extraordinary courage. Today’s sentence ensures accountability while affirming that acts of violence of this magnitude will be met with serious consequences.”
Background:
On March 4, 2025, the Taos County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence at 72 Old School Road in Chamisal in response to a domestic violence call with reported injuries. Deputies were advised that a female victim in her 60s or 70s had been assaulted by her son. Witnesses reported that the victim fled to a neighboring home, where she knocked on the door covered in blood and told the neighbor that her son, Jason Bustillos, had beaten her and set the house on fire. The victim was identified and transported to Holy Cross Hospital in Taos for medical treatment, while Bustillos was detained by sheriff’s deputies at the scene. The residence and an adjacent shed were fully engulfed in flames, and a Buick sedan and a Chevrolet pickup truck were also burning. While receiving medical care, the victim identified Bustillos to deputies as the individual responsible for her head injuries and the arson. Bustillos was treated for burns and cuts and, after being medically cleared, was booked into custody.
###
