LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Today, District Attorney Mark D’Antonio announced that a grand jury has indicted a Mesilla Park man accused of molesting a girl under the age of 13.
Gerald Chavez, 57, was indicted on one count of criminal sexual penetration of a minor, a first-degree felony and two counts of criminal contact of a minor, both third-degree felonies.
According to investigators, the girl said the alleged incidents took place at the defendant’s home between April and November of this year. The defendant also admitted to molesting other children in the past.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a mandatory 18 years in prison for the first-degree felony and up to six years behind bars for each third-degree felony. He would also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Information from Third Judicial District Attorney's office