Las Cruces—On July 1, 2015 a jury found Leonard Calvillo guilty of Attempted Aggravated Battery (deadly weapon); Aggravated Burglary; Child Abuse and Criminal Damage to Property in the January 2014 home invasion case. Today, Judge Fernando Macias sentenced him to a total of 16 years, which included a 1 year enhancement for having a prior felony conviction under the habitual offender act.
A document filed for sentencing by State Senior Trial Attorney Daniel Sewell stated that “Such a brutal, planned and collectively executed attack on a man, four women and a 2-year old who were innocently celebrating the New Year in their own home calls for severe punishment. The Court should not reward such an egregious home invasion by suspending any portion of the sentence. Especially when the defendant is a repeat offender with multiple prior felony convictions.”
In June 2013, Calvillo was convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance (Felony-Narcotic Drug). In July 2013 he was convicted of Aggravated Fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, a fourth degree felony. In both cases Calvillo violated terms of probation and the Court revoked his probation. In April 2014 he was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Tampering with Evidence, a fourth degree felony.
The State strongly urged the Court to give Leonard Calvillo a just sentence that was commensurate with these grievous crimes and that would protect our community from such a dangerous man. The State requested a 17 year prison sentence followed by the maximum parole period of 2 years.
On January 1, 2014 Calvillo called Joseph Torrez threatening to kill him and his 2-year old son. Soon after, Calvillo and three other Eastside Gang members arrived at the Torrez home breaking windows and kicking in the front door. As they attempted to stab Mr. Torrez with a shank and knife they repeatedly continued to threaten his life and that of his son.
Information from Third Judicial District Attorney's Office