Former Las Cruces teacher indicted in second case involving another minor
Former Las Cruces teacher Wyatt Cornelius faces two additional felony sexual-contact charges involving a different minor while remaining jailed in an earlier case.
Wyatt Cornelius faces two additional felony counts alleging sexual contact with a different minor while he remains jailed in an earlier case involving a former student
Damien Willis, Organ Mountain News
LAS CRUCES - A former Las Cruces middle school teacher already jailed while awaiting trial on charges involving a 14-year-old student has been indicted in a second criminal case alleging sexual contact with a different minor.
A Doña Ana County grand jury indicted Wyatt Cornelius, 43, on July 14 on two counts of third-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor, child 13 to 18, involving a person in a position of authority.
Court records reviewed by Organ Mountain News show the alleged victim identified in the new indictment is different from the minor identified in Cornelius’ original criminal case.
The new indictment alleges Cornelius touched the minor’s buttocks and breasts between Sept. 1, 2025 and Feb. 1, 2026.
In both counts, prosecutors allege Cornelius was able to exercise “undue influence” over the minor because of his relationship to her and used his position of authority to coerce her to submit to sexual contact.
The indictment does not provide additional details about that relationship or describe the circumstances surrounding the alleged contact.
Detective Pierce Wilber is identified as the witness whose grand jury testimony formed the basis for the indictment.
Organ Mountain News
Second criminal case
The new charges are separate from the case filed earlier this year against Cornelius, who was then a teacher and coach at Camino Real Middle School.
A May 5 grand jury indictment in that case charged Cornelius with criminal sexual contact of a minor, child solicitation by electronic communication device and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
That indictment alleges Cornelius touched the buttocks of a minor identified by different initials between Jan. 1 and April 11. It also alleges he knowingly solicited the child, who was between 13 and 16, through an electronic communication device to engage in sexual intercourse, sexual contact, a sexual or obscene performance or other sexual conduct.
Organ Mountain News previously reported that police accused Cornelius of exchanging Snapchat messages with a 14-year-old student that became sexual in nature and allegedly included references to meeting in person. Investigators also alleged he touched the student’s buttocks and legs at school and during school-related activities.
Prosecutors sought to keep Cornelius jailed before trial, arguing his position of authority and the allegations against him made him a danger to the community.
The detention proceedings initially became the subject of a procedural fight after the case was reassigned to District Judge Conrad F. Perea and the defense unsuccessfully sought to remove him. The New Mexico Supreme Court later intervened to order a continuance of the initial detention hearing.
Cornelius remains jailed under a pretrial detention order in that case.
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Support Organ Mountain NewsBond set in newer case
District Judge Richard Jacquez set a $10,000 secured bond in the newer case.
The court imposed conditions that would apply if Cornelius were released, including no contact with the alleged victim or potential witnesses, no possession of firearms, no alcohol and no leaving Doña Ana County without prior court approval.
Cornelius also would be required to maintain weekly contact with defense counsel and comply with state, federal and local laws.
Those conditions do not currently result in Cornelius’ release because he remains detained in the earlier criminal case.
The July indictment contains allegations, not findings of guilt. Cornelius has not been convicted of the charges in either case.
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.
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