10 years in prison for man convicted of coercing girl into performing sexual act

The man convicted of coercing a seven-year-old girl into performing a sexual act on him was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Doña Ana County District Attorney Mark D’Antonio announced Thursday.

Noel Mendoza, 31, of Las Cruces, was arrested June 28, 2016, after the victim in the case disclosed during a forensic interview that 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 sexual abuse case, D’Antonio’s office said.

Under interrogation, Mendoza claimed he was asleep at the time and woke up to the child performing a sexual act on him.

Mendoza pleaded no contest in July to one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor under the age of 13, a second-degree felony. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

District Judge Fernando Macias called Mendoza’s actions “morally repulsive” and imposed a prison sentence of 15 years. Macias suspended five years of the sentence, the district attorney’s office said.

Upon release, Mendoza must successfully complete 5 years of supervised probation. He will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.