Former Rio Grande Theatre manager accused of sexually assaulting teen, serving alcohol to underage woman

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KVIA) -- Police arrested the former venue manager of the Rio Grande Theatre in Las Cruces for allegedly serving alcohol to a 19-year-old woman and sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

The Las Cruces Police Department said 33-year-old Christopher Lininger was arrested on Thursday. He has been charged with one second-degree felony count of criminal sexual penetration of a minor and a fourth-degree felony count of giving or selling alcoholic beverages to an underage person.

Lininger is no longer employed by the City of Las Cruces, police said. He was hired as a contract employee in August 2017 and became a venue manager in February 2023.

LCPD said he hasn't been in the office since Oct. 8 and his employment with the city ended Thursday.

Lininger was booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center without bond.

Investigators are unaware of any other victims. Anyone who has additional information is encouraged to call police at (575) 526-0795 and ask to speak with a detective.