By Associated Press - Tuesday, February 18, 2020

LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) - A Las Cruces man has been sentenced to 141 years in prison for child abuse and sexual contact involving a minor.

Prosecutors say 49-year-old Juan Villalobos-Diaz was convicted at a jury trial on charges of criminal sexual penetration of a child under age 13, multiple counts of criminal sexual contact of minor and two counts of child abuse.

Villalobos-Diaz was arrested after the children who were victims reported the abuse during an interview at the Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office.



Authorities say the victims reported Villalobos-Diaz repeatedly sexually assaulted them and threatened the younger children of the household if the victims didn’t comply.

A forensic interview was conducted by the Child Advocacy Center and revealed that the two younger siblings were frequently shot with a BB gun by Villalobos-Diaz, leaving markings and bruising along their legs and back.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Story Topics

Please read our comment policy before commenting.