AG Balderas Announces Twice-Convicted Child Rapist Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 10, 2017

Contact: James Hallinan (505) 660-2216

Solorzano absconded from Nevada where he was a registered sex offender

Gallup, NM – Attorney General Hector Balderas announced today that Barion Ernesto Solorzano was sentenced in the 11th District Judicial Court to 30 years in prison by Judge Louis E. DePauli for unfathomable sexual offenses against children. In August of 2016, Solorzano plead guilty to one count of criminal sexual contact of a minor in the second degree, two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor in the third degree, one count of sexual exploitation of children by production, and one count of sexual exploitation of children by manufacture. The defendant also had a prior conviction for attempted lewdness with a minor in Clark County, Nevada.

“We are working together to protect children and families in all communities throughout New Mexico, which is my highest priority as attorney general,” said Attorney General Balderas. “I am thankful that a man who has committed horrific crimes against children in two states will go to prison for 30 years.”

In December of 2014, a six-year-old girl disclosed that her “Uncle Barion,” the defendant, had sexually molested her, including taking inappropriate photographs of her, and showing her videos of him sexually assaulting other children. After further investigation, it was revealed that Solorzano was a registered sex offender in the State of Nevada, and left Nevada without permission. He had since been residing in the State of New Mexico, where he had failed to disclose his sex offender status.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Tony Long.

See attached for a photo of Barion Solorzano and a copy of the sentencing memo which contains more information about the offenses in New Mexico and Nevada.

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