For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2020
Contact: Matt Baca — (505) 270-7148
Albuquerque, NM — Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Second
Judicial District Court Judge Jacqueline Flores sentenced Mark Vallejos to 5 years in the
Department of Corrections for possession of child pornography. An investigation by the
New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force into the online distribution
of child pornography over peer-to-peer file sharing networks led to a search of Vallejos’
residence.
“Anyone who encourages the sexual abuse and exploitation of children will be
prosecuted,” said Attorney General Balderas. “My office will continue to seek justice for
the most vulnerable members of society who are unable to protect themselves.”
As a result of that search, child pornography was found on Vallejos’ cell phone in
2017. Vallejos was ultimately charged with one count of manufacturing child pornography
and one count of possession child pornography. In January, Vallejos plead guilty to
possession of child pornography and faced a sentencing range of 0-10 years. Judge
Jacqueline Flores sentenced Vallejos to five years in the New Mexico Department Of
Corrections followed by 5 years of supervised probation. Vallejos is required to register
as a sex offender for the rest of his life.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Gardner.