Las Cruces—Deputy District Attorney Heather Chavez’ success in proving Jason Reyes guilty resulted in a 31 ½ year sentence; 10 years of which were suspended by Judge Fernando Macias in the Third Judicial District Court. Reyes pled to Criminal Solicitation to Commit Criminal Sexual Penetration (Child under 13), Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor, Criminal Sexual Penetration, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor and Sexual Exploitation of Children (Recording) (Child Under 18) totaling a possible 43 year sentence.
Las Cruces Police Detective Kacee Thatcher, also a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force with the New Mexico Attorney General’s Office, received a tip from a special agent citing that an individual using the name “jj33” was engaging in sexually explicit communication using a cell phone with the application AirG. Futher investigation proved the cell phone belonged to Reyes.
Reyes, now 35, engaged in sexual acts with a close family member who at the time was under the age of 13. The defendant not only allowed his boyfriend to engage in sexual acts with the child but participated in them as well. Reyes admitted to showing the child pornographic material and recorded the child engaged in sexual acts.
The victim, who is now 14 years of age, and his mother requested the court ensure that Jason Reyes would serve a minimum of 20 years.
Deputy District Attorney Heather Chavez felt a sentence of 43 years was warranted in this horrific case but asked Chief Judge Macias, at the very least, to honor the victims request of 20 years imprisonment for Reyes.
“These cases are extremely difficult and I’m happy the child’s request for 20 years was honored because it was he and his family who were most impacted” stated Ms. Chavez.
The trial for Reyes’ boyfriend and co-defendant, Juan Antonio Serrano-Jusino, has been set for March 12, 2015.
Information from Third Judicial District Attorney's Office