FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2017
Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216
Attorney General is looking for other potential victims in this case
Tucumcari, NM – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that a 29-year-old man was arrested this morning in Tucumcari by Office of the Attorney General special agents for multiple sex offenses in connection to the criminal sexual penetration and solicitation of several girls ranging from 14-17 years-old. Anthony Groomas was booked into the Quay County Detention Center on a $15,000 cash only bond this morning.
“Protecting New Mexico’s children from sexual predators is our highest priority and I am urging the public to come forward with any information they have about these charges or related offenses,” said Attorney General Balderas. “Whether you live in cities like Albuquerque or Las Cruces, or more rural areas like Quay County, parents must watch for signs of sexual predators soliciting their children and report it to authorities immediately.”
Anthony Groomas was charged with five counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration (second-degree), four counts Sexual Exploitation of Children (Production) (a Third-Degree Felony), seven counts Sexual Exploitation of Children (Manufacturing) (a Second-Degree Felony), one count Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession) (a Fourth-Degree Felony), five counts Contributing to Delinquency of Minor (a Fourth-Degree Felony) and one count Tampering with Evidence (a Third-Degree Felony).
The Office of the New Mexico Attorney General Internet Crimes Against Children Unit special agents are searching for information on these charges or related offenses. If you have any
information, please call (505) 717-3542, or you can report anonymously through the National Center for Missing and Exploited children: www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678.
See attached for a copy of the booking photo.
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