Ninth Judicial District Attorney, Andrea Reeb, announced that a jury returned guilty verdicts last evening against Roy G. Cavazos. Cavazos, age 30, was found guilty of Kidnapping, a first degree felony; 4 counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration, second degree felonies; Assault with Intent to Commit a Violent Felony, a third degree felony; and Trafficking a Controlled Substance, a second degree felony. During the two-day trial, the jury heard emotional testimony from the victim, her mother, and several law enforcement officers. The jury deliberated just over three hours before returning their guilty verdicts at about 9:15 p.m. last night.
On July 26, 2016, the 29 year old female victim was approached by a male subject, outside her Clovis apartment, asking for help to find his wallet. When the victim turned her back to go inside her apartment, Cavazos pushed his way into her home. She resisted him, spraying him with pepper spray, but he overcame her. The victims’ infant child was in the home, so she minimized her resistance, fearing for her safety and the safety of her child.
The female victim was held against her will from about 11:30 p.m. on July 26, 2016 until about 5:30 p.m. on July 27, 2016. During this nearly 18 hour ordeal, she had been sexually assaulted, forced to use a controlled substance, and was not freed until her mother arrived to check on her. Only then did her assailant allow her to leave with her child, but not before ordering her to not tell anyone.
Through the combined efforts of the Patrol Division and Special Operation Divisions of the Clovis Police Department, Cavazos was identified as the suspect. Roy Cavazos was found in the 2000 block of Chapparal Circle. On contact with Officers, Roy Cavazos ran, but after a short foot pursuit, he was taken into custody without further incident.
The Honorable Matthew Chandler presided over the trial and ordered that a sentencing hearing be scheduled within 30 days. He also revoked the bond of $250,000 cash only and held Cavazos with no bond. Cavazos faces a maximum of 73 years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections, which would include an enhancement for a prior felony conviction of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.
(News release from Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office)
