LAS CRUCES – Doña Ana County District Attorney Mark D’Antonio on Wednesday announced that Ace Garcia, 34, of Las Cruces, was sentenced to 24.5 years in prison after being convicted last month of second-degree criminal sexual penetration of a minor and other crimes.
Assistant District Attorneys Andrew Apodaca and Bradley Bartlett prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.
Garcia was convicted on November 7 on four counts in connection with the rape of a 14-year-old girl. An investigation revealed that Garcia, who lived in the home with the girl, was asked to drive the victim to school on the morning of December 2, 2015. Instead of taking her to school, Garcia took her to the family home where police say he encouraged her to drink “several shots of alcohol” against her will, according to court records. Later that day, Garcia sexually assaulted the girl while she was changing clothes. The victim disclosed the attack the following day to a relative, who then notified the Las Cruces Police Department.
Detective Amador Martinez investigated the case for the Las Cruces Police Department.
A Las Cruces jury convicted Garcia of criminal sexual penetration of a child 13-18 by force or coercion, a second-degree felony; criminal sexual contact of a minor in the fourth degree; contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a fourth-degree felony; and concealing identity, a petty misdemeanor.
D’Antonio applauded prosecutors for the outcome and said, “This defendant took advantage of a 14-year-old child who was left in his care,” D’Antonio said. “I hope today’s outcome gives the victim and her family some closure. No child should have to go through what she did.”
At Wednesday’s sentencing, Apodaca asked for the maximum sentence of 30.5 years. District Judge Fernando Macias imposed a total sentence of 24.5 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections. Upon release, Garcia must also successfully complete an indeterminate period of supervised probation ranging from five to 20 years, and must register as a sex offender for life.
Information from Third Judicial District Attorney's office