Federal complaint alleges he bonded vulnerable inmates out of jail, then used threats, drugs and control over their freedom to exploit them

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces bounty hunter faces federal charges including sex trafficking, forced labor and drug distribution after investigators say he bonded vulnerable individuals out of jail and then exploited them through coercion, threats and control over their freedom.

Federal prosecutors have charged Robert Jay Hernandez, 62, with three counts of forced labor, along with sex trafficking by force, threats, fraud or coercion, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, according to a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court.

Investigators say Hernandez worked for a bail bond company in Las Cruces and bonded people out of the Doña Ana County Detention Center, then required them to live at his home. The complaint describes a pattern of targeting individuals struggling with addiction or without stable housing and using that vulnerability to control them.

In October 2024, a male victim told investigators Hernandez bonded him out of custody and required him to perform unpaid labor while living at his residence, including assisting with bounty hunting work. The victim also said Hernandez provided him with drugs, including fentanyl, despite having no prescription, and presented them as medical treatment. After the victim left the home, Hernandez contacted immigration authorities, which led to the victim’s arrest, the complaint alleges.

In March 2025, a female inmate reported Hernandez initiated contact while she was still in custody, made explicit and threatening statements and later bonded her out. She told investigators he coerced her into sexual acts by making her fear he would return her to jail if she refused. After she attempted to leave, Hernandez tracked her down, pointed a gun at her and forced her back into custody, according to court records.

A third victim told investigators Hernandez bonded her out in November 2025, required her to live with him and controlled her access to fentanyl. She said she engaged in sexual acts in exchange for the drugs and complied out of fear of being returned to jail and to avoid severe withdrawal symptoms.

Additional witness statements describe similar behavior, with inmates reporting Hernandez targeted women with substance dependencies and expected sexual favors in exchange for help getting out of jail.

Investigators also allege Hernandez, who has a prior felony conviction, unlawfully possessed multiple firearms.

Hernandez previously worked in the Doña Ana County Clerk’s Office and was involved in exposing a 2015 fraud scheme within the office. He had also publicly stated an intent to run for county clerk.

He later filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the county following his termination by the Clerk's Office.

Hernandez remains in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 5.

If convicted, he faces up to life in prison.

The FBI’s Las Cruces Resident Agency investigated the case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, Doña Ana County Detention Center, the Las Cruces / Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Task Force and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant Gardner and Maria Y. Armijo are prosecuting the case.