Guilty Plea: Man used chocolate syrup to entice girl into performing sex act

A 31-year-old Las Cruces man pleaded guilty to coercing a seven-year-old girl into performing a sexual act on him in 2016, the office of Doña Ana County District Attorney Mark D’Antonio announced Friday.

Noel Mendoza was arrested June 28, 2016.

The victim told investigators Mendoza had used chocolate syrup to entice her into performing a sexual act on him. The interview was being conducted in connection with an investigation into another case.

Under interrogation, Mendoza told investigators he was asleep at the time and awoke to the child performing a sexual act on him.

Mendoza pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor under the age of 13, a second-degree felony.

“I commend the victim in this case for coming forward and I’m thankful she will be spared the difficult experience of having to testify at trial,” D’Antonio said.

District Judge Fernando R. Macias ordered Mendoza to undergo a 60-day diagnostic evaluation before sentencing. Mendoza faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, and will also have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

Assistant District Attorney Heather Cosentino Chavez prosecuted the case on behalf of the State.