Clovis, NM – Ninth Judicial District Attorney, Quentin Ray, announced that Jose Maldonado, age 25, of Clovis, was found guilty on February 27, 2024, by a Curry County jury of Kidnapping (1st degree felony), Criminal Sexual Penetration (2nd degree felony) and Burglary (3rd degree felony).
On May 21, 2021, Officers from the Clovis Police Department were dispatched to 1100 Sycamore in reference to a sexual assault. Maldonado broke into the victim’s house on the early morning hours of May 21, 2021. The victim awoke to a noise and Maldonado standing over her while she was in bed. Maldonado got on top of her and pulled her shorts down while the victim struggled and screamed for help. Maldonado forcefully pushed her face into the pillow holding her by the neck. When she was finally able to turn her head, she tried to scare him away by telling him “Someone is walking by the window”. As soon as Maldonado went to the door to check the victim got up and jumped out of the bedroom window where she ran to the neighbor’s house and called 911. Police matched Maldonado’s DNA to the sexual assault evidence kit collected by ARISE sexual assault services.
The Honorable Fred Van Soelen presided over the case. Maldonado is facing a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for March 5, 2024. Maldonado remains in custody on a no-bond hold.
Quentin Ray, District Attorney prosecuted the case for the State. Maldonado was represented by criminal defense attorney, Sandra Gallagher. Quentin Ray would like to commend the victim for her courage in coming forward and standing up to this predator. That is not an easy story to tell much less in a courtroom full of strangers and the one that raped you. The Victim was heard today, and Justice will be served.
For more information, please contact the District Attorney’s Office at 575-769-2246.
