Jesus Moreno was ordered to serve the remaining prison time from four previous cases after a July arrest involving kidnapping allegations and a police pursuit.

Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News

LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces man arrested in July following an alleged kidnapping and high-speed police pursuit has been ordered to serve more than four years in prison for violating probation in four previous criminal cases.

Jesus Gerardo Moreno Jr., 30, was sentenced Thursday, Nov. 12, to four years and 171 days in prison after Third Judicial District Judge Conrad F. Perea approved prosecutors' motions to revoke his probation, according to District Attorney Fernando Macias' office.

The prison term represents the remaining portions of Moreno's previous sentences, which involved convictions for criminal sexual penetration, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a household member, aggravated battery against a household member and other offenses.

The probation revocations followed Moreno's July 31 arrest on new kidnapping, aggravated assault, interference with communications and aggravated fleeing charges. Those charges remain pending and are separate from the convictions underlying his prison sentence.

July encounter led to kidnapping allegations

According to a sworn probable cause statement filed by Las Cruces police Detective Jorge Arroyo, the July incident began when Moreno met a woman at the Burlington parking lot at 2352 E. Lohman Ave. to discuss problems in their relationship.

The woman told investigators she voluntarily entered Moreno's vehicle, where they talked for approximately 30 minutes before he became upset.

She alleged that Moreno retrieved a black folding knife, held it against several parts of her body and threatened to kill her if she called police because he did not want to return to jail.

According to the statement, the woman was afraid Moreno would stab her if she attempted to leave or seek help.

She told investigators that Moreno took her cellphone when she tried to contact her mother, then drove away with her in the vehicle.

During the drive, Moreno allegedly slapped and punched the woman repeatedly in the face.

The woman eventually escaped by jumping from the moving vehicle near Lohman Avenue and Sonoma Ranch Boulevard.

An independent witness told investigators she saw a woman jump from the front passenger door of a moving vehicle, roll onto the roadway and run toward her vehicle seeking help.

The witness allowed the woman inside and drove her back to the Burlington parking lot, where police responded.

Investigators documented injuries including a split lip, redness around the woman's face and neck and abrasions on her arms and legs. She was taken to Memorial Medical Center for treatment.

Pursuit ended with police intervention

Officers subsequently located Moreno driving east on West Picacho Avenue in a black Hyundai Sonata, according to the probable cause statement.

Police attempted to stop him, but he allegedly fled, leading officers on a pursuit that reached speeds of 65 mph.

Investigators reported that Moreno caused two traffic collisions during the pursuit.

Officers eventually used a pursuit intervention technique to disable his vehicle and took him into custody in the 2500 block of North Valley Drive.

A Doña Ana County magistrate found probable cause for the charges Aug. 3, and the case subsequently proceeded to a grand jury indictment Aug. 11.

The pending charges include first-degree kidnapping without intent to commit a sexual offense, fourth-degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a household member, fourth-degree aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer and misdemeanor interference with communications.

Moreno has not been convicted of those charges.

Judge revokes probation in four cases

At the time of his July arrest, Moreno was serving probation in four previous criminal cases.

Court records included in an August prosecution filing document prior convictions involving violent offenses and earlier proceedings in which Moreno was ordered detained pending trial.

Following his latest arrest, prosecutors sought to revoke probation in all four cases.

On Nov. 12, Perea approved the state's motions and ordered Moreno to serve the remaining portions of his original prison sentences, totaling four years and 171 days.

"Moreno is a violent, repeat offender whose actions posed an extreme threat to our community," Macias said in a Friday statement. "Our office made it a priority to revoke his probation so he can now serve the remainder of his time in prison."

Deputy District Attorney Mark Abramson represented the state in the probation revocation proceedings.

Deputy District Attorney Anne Swank is assigned to prosecute Moreno's pending charges.

The July kidnapping and pursuit case could result in additional prison time if Moreno is convicted. Thursday's sentence, however, stems from his previous convictions and the revocation of his probation.

Damien Willis is founder and editor of Organ Mountain News. If you have a personal story to share or a lead we should follow up on, reach out at OrganMountainNews@gmail.com or connect with him on X at @damienwillis.