A judge in Las Vegas, New Mexico, signed an arrest warrant on Nov. 2 for Jude Madrid, a local resident accused of sexually abusing a child over several years. The warrant, filed in the district court, orders Madrid to be held without bond.
Charges and alleged timeline
According to court documents, Madrid faces 16 counts. The charges include criminal sexual penetration of a child, criminal sexual contact of a minor, sexual exploitation of children, child abuse, incest, and bribery of a witness involving threats. The alleged abuse spanned from 2020 through June 2023, when the victim was under 13 years old.
Investigation details
The New Mexico State Police (NMSP) began the investigation after the child’s mother reported the allegations on June 27, 2023. The child participated in a forensic interview the next day and told investigators that Madrid had repeatedly sexually abused her and instructed her not to tell anyone.
Investigators collected physical evidence and obtained a DNA sample from Madrid. In 2026, a DNA analyst reported that Madrid could not be excluded as a possible contributor to DNA found on the victim’s undergarments. The analyst noted the findings could also be consistent with DNA from Madrid’s biological relatives, but did not definitively identify him as the source.
Police seized Madrid’s phone in 2023 but were initially unable to access its contents. A forensic examiner successfully extracted data from the device in 2026, identifying four videos that could be child sexual abuse material. The examiner could not determine the ages of the individuals depicted.
Legal outcome
Based on the affidavit and the evidence gathered, the judge found probable cause and signed the arrest warrant, ordering that Madrid be held without bond pending further proceedings.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts of New Mexico law‑enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute child sexual abuse. Community members are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected abuse to authorities.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
