LAS CRUCES – Doña Ana County District Attorney Mark D’Antonio announced Thursday that Orlando Gomez, 43, of Las Cruces, was sentenced to 29 months in prison for coercing a 15-year-old girl into an inappropriate relationship in 2014 and 2015.
Gomez was arrested August 5, 2016, after the victim in the case told a relative about the relationship. The victim, a relative of Gomez’s wife, had been staying with the family for an extended period of time. According to police records, Gomez began making sexual advances toward the girl and telling her that she was his girlfriend.
Over time, his advances intensified, investigators learned. Court documents state that Gomez coerced her into having sex with him by threatening to kill himself if she didn’t. She told police that she didn’t want to, but ultimately gave in.
Gomez pleaded no contest in March to two counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor in the fourth degree. Each count carries a maximum 18-month prison sentence.
Gomez’s victim addressed the court Thursday, and asked District Judge Fernando Macias to impose the maximum sentence of 36 months. However, Macias sentenced Gomez to 29 months.
“I commend the victim in this case for the courage she demonstrated in coming forward to report this crime,” D’Antonio said. “But for the courageousness of this young girl and victims like her, too many of these crimes would go unreported and unprosecuted.”
After serving his sentence, Gomez must complete one year of parole and will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
Deputy District Attorney Daniel Sewell prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.
Information from Third Judicial District Attorney's Office