Chaparral man found guilty in sexual assault of a minor case

An Otero County jury found a Chaparral man guilty after investigators say he sexually assaulted a 7 year-old child multiple times before his arrest

Carlos Pacheco, 35, has been found guilty of two counts of first degree criminal sexual penetration of a minor under the age of 13, and one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor.

Pacheco’s guilty charges come after a two-day trial into an investigation by the Otero County sheriff’s Office from a 2016 case.

According to investigators, the Otero County Sheriff’s Office was investigating a separate criminal case in Chaparral, New Mexico, when the sexual assault was brought to their attention by the victim’s mother.

Investigators say the child, who was 7 years-old at the time, was allegedly raped multiple times and forced to touch Pacheco on numerous occasions.

The victim told investigators she was too afraid to report the assaults out of fear Pacheco would harm her.

“This care presented so many unique difficulties,” Twelfth District Attorney John P. Sugg said. “I cannot overstate how proud I am of the dedicated public servants who worked tirelessly to ensure justice was served in this case.”

Pacheco faces up to 51 years in prison once he goes through a sentencing hearing later this year.