Las Cruces man convicted of raping female relative

A jury found a Las Cruces man who forced a female relative to engage in oral sex guilty of rape.

Mario Lopez, 61, was convicted of criminal sexual penetration.

During the trial, the victim testified that she tried calling for help following the December 2015 incident. When she dialed 911, she said Lopez threw the phone off the bed.

Prosecutors were able obtained and present the 911 recording in which the victim could be heard crying.

After reading the verdict, Chief District Judge Fernando Macias gave the Lopez a $15,000 unsecured bond and ordered him to turn himself into the detention center on Monday to be evaluated.

In a news release, District Attorney Mark D’Antonio said he was “disappointed” that a convicted rapist was released on an unsecured bond. Prosecutors with the 3rd Judicial District Attorney’s Office asked the judge to reconsider giving Lopez an unsecured bond, arguing that he is a danger to the community and a flight risk.

A sentencing date will be scheduled after a 60-day diagnostic evaluation of the defendant. Prosecutors said they plan on asking for the maximum sentence possible, which is three years in prison.

“Rape cases are always difficult but the victim’s testimony helped secure today’s conviction,” D’Antonio said. “As a result, the defendant will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.”