Las Cruces man sentenced to 49 years in violent kidnapping case

Jacob Gonzales was sentenced to 49 years in prison after a retrial in a 2020 kidnapping case. Prosecutors say the victim’s testimony helped secure a harsher sentence than the original conviction.

Las Cruces man sentenced to 49 years in violent kidnapping case
(Courtesy photo / Doña Ana County Detention Center)

Second trial results in longer sentence after appellate court required victim to testify

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A local man convicted in a brutal 2020 kidnapping case was sentenced Thursday to 49 years in prison, following a retrial that allowed the victim to testify after initially being too afraid to appear in court.

Jacob Gonzales received the maximum sentence allowed by law from District Judge Conrad Perea. Prosecutors say Gonzales, a habitual offender, kidnapped his ex-girlfriend, stuffed her into the trunk of her car, drove her into the desert, beat her and terrorized her before eventually returning her home.

The case was first prosecuted without the victim’s testimony, but an appellate ruling required a retrial. The second trial led to a longer sentence — 10 years more than Gonzales had originally received.

“Despite the traumatic nature of this case and the legal setbacks we faced, justice ultimately prevailed,” said District Attorney Fernando R. Macias. “The victim showed tremendous courage in coming forward the second time.”

Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson said retrying the case “led to an even greater measure of justice,” crediting the survivor’s bravery and the work of prosecutors and victim advocates.

The Doña Ana County District Attorney’s Office said it remains committed to pursuing justice for survivors of violent crime.

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