Border Patrol agent who sexually assaulted girl sentenced to 29 months in prison

The Border Patrol agent convicted of having an inappropriate relationship with a 15-year-old girl was sentenced Thursday to 29 months in prison, Doña Ana County District Attorney Mark D’Antonio announced.

Orlando Gomez, 43, of Las Cruces, coerced the girl into the sexual relationship in 2014 and 2015, prosecutors said.

Gomez was arrested August 5, 2016, after the victim told a relative about the relationship. The victim had been staying with the family for an extended period of time.

Court documents state Gomez coerced the victim into having sex with him by threatening to kill himself if she didn’t. The victim told police she didn’t want to, but ultimately gave in.

Gomez pleaded no contest in March to two counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor in the fourth degree.

Gomez’s victim addressed the court Thursday, and asked District Judge Fernando Macias to impose the maximum sentence of 36 months. However, Macias sentenced Gomez to 29 months.

“I commend the victim in this case for the courage she demonstrated in coming forward to report this crime,” D’Antonio said. “But for the courageousness of this young girl and victims like her, too many of these crimes would go unreported and unprosecuted.”

After serving his sentence, Gomez must complete one year of parole and will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Deputy District Attorney Daniel Sewell prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.