LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KTSM) — A 29-year-old man was sentenced to 49 years in prison after being convicted of first-degree kidnapping and other related charges, according to a news release by the Third Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Doña Ana County) on Thursday, July 17.
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As KTSM previously reported, then 25-year-old Jacob Gonzales was arrested back in August of 2020 in El Paso for the kidnapping and beating of his ex-girlfriend.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, Gonzales “viciously” assaulted his ex-girlfriend, confined her in the trunk of her vehicle, and transported her to a remote desert location, where he stripped, beat, and terrorized her before taking her to an abandoned residence.
At the abandoned residence, the woman was forced to clean up and burn her clothing and was eventually returned home, where “she pretended to be unconscious to survive,” the DA’s Office said.
“Despite the traumatic nature of this case and the legal setbacks we faced, justice ultimately prevailed,” District Attorney Fernando Macias said. “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.”
In an earlier trial, Gonzales was convicted, but the victim was “too fearful” to testify, the DA’s Office said.
The DA’s office said that although they secured a conviction, a higher court ordered a retrial, requiring her appearance.
“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,” Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Willson said. “We are proud of our team, our investigators, our advocates, and most importantly, the survivor who bravely reclaimed her voice.”
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