LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Today, District Attorney Mark D’Antonio announced that a Las Cruces man has been sentenced to 18 years behind bars for having sexual contact with a 6-year-old girl.
In December 2015, Daniel Lee Landon, 27, was convicted of sexual penetration of a minor, a first-degree felony, and criminal sexual contact with a minor, a second-degree felony.
During today’s hearing, the case’s lead prosecutor, Davis Ruark, successfully argued for the maximum sentence possible. However, the judge ordered that both sentences be served concurrent which means the defendant will serve 18 years in prison.
D’Antonio said, “There is no sentence that could make our young victim whole again. However, I do believe today’s outcome gives her and her family at least a little bit of closure.”
In January 2014, the defendant was caught “acting sexually inappropriate” near two young girls, both under the age of seven when the crime was committed.
Through their investigation, detectives with the Las Cruces Police Department also learned that the defendant had sexual contact prior to being caught by the young girls’ mother.
The defendant will also have to register as a sex offender once he is released.
Information from Third Judicial District Attorney's Office