When abusers are found guilty and face criminal sentencing, it can feel like an important step in the healing journey of the victims. Too often it is a long and difficult legal road before someone charged with sexual abuse faces the justice deserved for a particular case. However, when the outcome is in favor of the survivors, the efforts often seem worth it.
New Mexico readers may be interested in an abuse case that recently resulted in the sentencing of a 20-year-old man. According to reports, the man was accused of having sexual contact with two children under the age of 11. He was charged with crimes relating to the following activities:
- Sexual abuse
- Possession of child pornography
- Using a child for a sexual performance
- Attempting to distribute indecent material to a minor
Rather than move through a full criminal trial, the man pleaded guilty to the abuse and child pornography charges. His recent sentencing was reported as being four to 12 years in prison for use of a child in a sexual performance, one and one-third to four years in prison for possession of child pornography, and 10 years in prison for first-degree criminal sex act.
While having the abuser plead guilty in such cases can often seem ideal, there are other instances in which cases can go on much longer and depend on evidence and testimony from victims. While this can seem daunting for any sexual abuse survivor, having a strong support team could make the ordeal less stressful. As a result, having empathetic legal counsel to see them through such proceedings could bring relief to New Mexico victims.
