Former Ruidoso Police officer convicted of child solicitation

RUIDOSO, New Mexico (KVIA) -- A Lincoln County jury found 39-year-old former Ruidoso Police officer Daniel Balding guilty on one county of Child Solicitation by Electronic Communication Device, one count of Attempting to Commit a Felony (Sexual Exploitation of Children by Recording).

The trial just wrapped up after two days in the courtroom. The jury took just an hour of deliberation to convict Balding, according to court officials.

New Mexico State Police and U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigators found that in September of 2019, Balding used the Whisper App to text a person that he believed was a 15-year-old minor. Investigators say Balding asked the person for sexually explicitly pictures and videos, and sent pictures of himself sitting in his police car, wearing his uniform. This happened while Balding worked as a police officer.

Balding has not yet been sentenced. He faces up to three years in prison.