ONLY ON ABC-7: Child victims ask Las Cruces judge for maximum punishment for sex offender
Two young siblings asked a Las Cruces judge for the maximum sentence on Monday against the man who admitted to sexually abusing them years ago.
“I understand that I need to go to prison for what I’ve done,” 28-year-old Bobby Christopher Mendoza told the judge. “I just need treatment and I don’t feel like life in prison is that treatment.”
The two children, less than ten years old, described the abuse they suffered to the court. Mendoza admitted to performing sexual acts on the children when they were only four and five years old.
“What Chris did to me was terrible,” the female child said. “It wasn’t a little bit of stuff, if was a lot of stuff. I don’t think Chris should be around any kids or grown-ups because he hurt me.”
“The sexual abuse makes me feel angry, sad, confused, embarrassed, lonely, ashamed and frightened,” the male child said. “I don’t know how the sexual abuse will affect me when I grow up, but I will never forget about it.”
Judge Douglas Driggers sentenced Mendoza to 33 years in prison with five years minimum parole. The maximum Mendoza could have served was 93 years in prison, Deputy District Attorney Heather Chavez told ABC-7.
“By far, this case has been the most horrifying case of its type that I’ve ever personally handled,” Chavez told the judge.
Mendoza was ultimately convicted on one count of criminal sexual penetration in the first degree (18 years) and five additional counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor in the second degree, run concurrently (totalling 15 years).
“The sexual abuse of our children is not acceptable,” said Sueann Kenney-Noziska, a licensed clinical social worker. “When it happens, there is serious consequences for that. I think that message needs to come from the top down, from the bench to the community.”
Mendoza told the judge he was a victim of abuse as a child, but acknowledged that it does not excuse his actions against the two young children.
“I’m truly sorry,” Mendoza said, before exiting the courtroom for prison.
RESOURCES:
LINK: Prevent Child Abuse America
LINK: National Child Abuse Hotline
LINK: Texas Abuse Hotline Website
