Las Cruces man accused of raping woman after being released from jail for prior attack

LAS CRUCES, New Mexico -- A Las Cruces man is back behind bars, allegedly responsible for a rape that he committed just 3 days after having been released from jail for a previous offense involving the same victim.

35-year-old Mathew Paul Gallego has been charged with second-degree felony counts of criminal sexual penetration and aggravated burglary.

According to court documents, Gallegos broke into the victim's home at about 2 a.m. on Monday as she slept. The victim told police that Gallegos then slipped into the bed, raped her and left.

Gallegos already knew the woman from a previous relationship, authorities said.

That relationship had reportedly been deeply abusive, with Gallegos being served with a restraining order just days before Monday's sexual assault.

“And earlier, that is where he held a knife to her and threatened her with that knife and also physically assaulted her," said LCPD spokesperson Dan Trujillo. "He was arrested in that case and then 3 days after his release from jail is when he committed that second offense.”

Police located Gallegos at a relative’s home not long after the alleged rape where he was taken into custody without incident.

He is also charged with a misdemeanor count of violating a protection order.