EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A man was found guilty of child sex abuse crimes this week, the Doña Ana County District Attorney’s Office said.
Michael Ybarra was found guilty of three counts of second-degree criminal sexual penetration and three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, the DA’s Office in Las Cruces said.
Ybarra is scheduled to be sentenced on May 30, and the DA’s Office said it “will be seeking a lengthy sentence.”
Deputy District Attorneys Tomas Medina and Anne Swank led the prosecution.
“The jury delivered a decisive verdict, holding the defendant accountable for the abuse,” the DA’s Office said.
“Child sex abuse cases are particularly difficult to prosecute because they thrive in secrecy and shame,” Swank said. “The victim showed tremendous courage by facing her abuser in court, which ultimately led to his conviction today. Thanks to her bravery, other children in the community are now protected from harm. My sincere hope is that she finds peace and continues to heal.”
“We are deeply grateful to our office staff and to the investigative partners who worked on this case,” Medina said. “Most of all, we are thankful for the victim’s courage and her willingness to face her abuser to bring him to justice.”
DA Fernando Macias added: “This case was deeply disturbing, and today’s verdict sends a clear message that justice will be served — especially in cases involving the abuse of vulnerable victims.”
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