DEMING – In what could have been a scene from the TV show, “To Catch a Predator”, a 29-year-old Las Cruces man has been arrested in Deming on child solicitation charges.
Deming Police Chief Clint Hogan told Deming Radio News that 29-year-old Eliseo Lara from Las Cruces began talking to who he assumed was a 15-year-old girl in Deming. Hogan said that in fact, Lara was texting officers of the local task force.
The task force consists of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who began developing a case once Lara believed he was texting the fictitious local juvenile.
Last week, Lara drove to Deming with the alleged intent of having sex with the teen.
Chief Hogan said that upon arrival at a Deming residence, he was taken into custody. Officers also reported that Lara was carrying condoms at the time of his arrest.
He was booked into the Luna County Detention Center charged with attempted criminal sexual penetration of a minor, a third-degree felony and attempted child solicitation by electronic device, also a third-degree felony.
Lara had his initial court appearance Friday before Magistrate Court Judge Scott Chandler when he was given a no bond detention continuation.
Chief Hogan told Deming Radio News that he was happy with his officers assisting in making this important arrest.
Deming Police Chief Clint Hogan told Deming Radio News that 29-year-old Eliseo Lara from Las Cruces began talking to who he assumed was a 15-year-old girl in Deming. Hogan said that in fact, Lara was texting officers of the local task force.
The task force consists of federal, state, and local law enforcement officers who began developing a case once Lara believed he was texting the fictitious local juvenile.
Last week, Lara drove to Deming with the alleged intent of having sex with the teen.
Chief Hogan said that upon arrival at a Deming residence, he was taken into custody. Officers also reported that Lara was carrying condoms at the time of his arrest.
He was booked into the Luna County Detention Center charged with attempted criminal sexual penetration of a minor, a third-degree felony and attempted child solicitation by electronic device, also a third-degree felony.
Lara had his initial court appearance Friday before Magistrate Court Judge Scott Chandler when he was given a no bond detention continuation.
Chief Hogan told Deming Radio News that he was happy with his officers assisting in making this important arrest.