Former Rio Grande Theatre manager arrested on sexual assault, alcohol charges in Las Cruces
Former Rio Grande Theatre manager Christopher Lininger was arrested Oct. 29 on felony sexual assault and underage alcohol charges in Las Cruces.
Christopher Lininger, 33, faces two felony charges involving a 17-year-old girl and a 19-year-old woman. The city terminated his employment Thursday.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - The former venue manager of the Rio Grande Theatre was arrested Thursday on felony charges after Las Cruces police alleged he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl and provided alcohol to a 19-year-old woman.
Christopher Lininger, 33, was arrested Oct. 29 and charged with one second-degree felony count of criminal sexual penetration of a minor and one fourth-degree felony count of giving or selling alcoholic beverages to an underage person, according to the Las Cruces Police Department.
Lininger is no longer employed by the City of Las Cruces.
Police said Lininger was initially hired as a city contract employee in August 2017. He became a regular city employee and venue manager of the Rio Grande Theatre in February 2023.
According to the department, Lininger had not been in the office since Oct. 8. His employment with the city was terminated Thursday, the same day he was arrested.
Police did not provide additional details about when or where the alleged offenses occurred or whether they were connected to activities at the theater.
Investigators said they are not aware of any other victims.
Anyone with additional information about the case is encouraged to contact the Las Cruces Police Department at 575-526-0795 and ask to speak with a detective.
The charges against Lininger are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
