Las Cruces man arrested in rape of 5-year-old girl

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A 55-year-old Las Cruces man was arrested Monday on accusations that he repeatedly raped a 5-year-old girl and made threats against her family to keep her silent about the sex abuse, police said.

Manuel Olivas was charged with six felony counts including criminal sexual penetration of a minor and criminal sexual contact of a minor.

Monday's arrest came after police obtained a warrant following an investigation that was launched in February when authorities said they first learned of the allegations.

In a statement, police said after the girl was interviewed by medical professionals, "investigators determined the incidents occurred seven to eight years ago when the victim, who was five or six years old at the time, would spend weekends at Olivas’ house."

The police statement said "the victim (also) told investigators that she did not disclose the allegations sooner because Olivas threatened to harm her mother if she told anyone."

Olivas was being held without bond at the Dona Ana County Detention Center on the charges.