Las Cruces sex offender sentenced to 3 years in prison

A Hatch man convicted in December on two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor was found guilty of sexually molesting a family member in 2006. The jury convicted Jose De Jesus Cabral, 70, of second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor and third-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor. Prosecutors in the case asked District Judge Marci Beyer for the maximum 21-year penalty. However, Beyer sentenced to three and a half years in prison, in addition to five years of probation and an 11 and a half year suspended sentenced. Cabral will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. “We’re very proud of the courage demonstrated by the victim and her family for being able to testify, which helped us achieve convictions in this case,” said Deputy District Attorney Davis Ruark, who prosecuted the case with Andy Apodaca, an assistant trial attorney. “We certainly respect the jury’s verdict, as well as the judge’s sentence,” Apodaca said. “We asked for the maximum sentence in this case, and we did not receive it. However, the defendant will have to register as a sex offender. We hope that provides some solace to the victim, her family and the community at large.” Apodaca added that the victim’s family members “were appreciative, and thanked the prosecutors and staff of the District Attorney’s office for their efforts.”