Las Cruces, NM — Doña Ana County District Attorney Fernando R. Macias announces that Jacob Gonzales has been sentenced to a 49-year prison sentence, after being convicted of first-degree kidnapping and multiple related charges stemming from a violent attack on his ex-girlfriend.
District Judge Conrad F. Perea imposed the maximum sentence available under law, taking into account Gonzales's status as a habitual offender and the use of a firearm during the commission of the crime. The sentence marks a strong conclusion to a difficult case that required retrying after an appellate ruling mandated the victim's presence for testimony.
The case stems from a 2020 incident in which Gonzales viciously assaulted his ex-girlfriend, confined her in the trunk of her own vehicle, and transported her to a remote desert location. There, he stripped, beat, and terrorized her before taking her to an abandoned residence, forcing her to clean up, burning her clothing, and eventually returning her home, where she pretended to be unconscious to survive.
"Despite the traumatic nature of this case and the legal setbacks we faced, justice ultimately prevailed," said DA Macias. "The victim showed tremendous courage in coming forward the second time, and today's sentence reflects the severity of Gonzales's crimes and the perseverance of our prosecution team."
Gonzales was originally convicted in an earlier trial where the victim was too fearful to testify. Although the DA's Office secured a conviction without her testimony, a higher court ordered a retrial requiring her appearance. The successful retrial and today's sentencing resulted in a punishment ten years longer than the original sentence.
"This case serves as a reminder that retrying a case, even when it feels disheartening, can sometimes lead to an even greater measure of justice," said Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson. "We are proud of our team, our investigators, our advocates, and most importantly, the survivor who bravely reclaimed her voice."
The Doña Ana County District Attorney's Office remains committed to seeking justice for victims of violent crime and working every day to keep our communities safe.
