Sexual abuse accusations against Justin Hansen trigger BCSO investigation
Hansen serving 18 years for almost beating girl to death
Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office detectives are investigating Justin Hansen — the man recently convicted of almost beating a 17-yearold girl to death a decade ago — after accusations that he sexually abused a minor.
The allegations do not appear to be related to the beating case.
Deputy Felicia Maggard, a BCSO spokeswoman, said detectives with the Special Victim’s Unit began investigating Hansen in August because of reports of sexual abuse involving a juvenile.
Maggard would not say when the alleged abuse occurred or provide any other information about the investigation.
“No other details are available for release,” Maggard said.
However, Hansen’s attorney Rose Osborne said her client has not been interviewed or notified of the investigation.
“He has not ever been given a target notice to say he is the target of an investigation and no one has contacted me about whether he would want to do an interview,” she said.
Osborne represented Hansen in the case involving Brittani Marcell, at the time a 17-year-old Cibola High School student, who was severely beaten in her West Side home in 2008. Marcell was in a coma for weeks and underwent numerous surgeries after the attack.
Hansen, now 34, was arrested in July 2017 after Albuquerque Police Department detectives matched DNA on his discarded McDonald’s cup to a drop of blood found in Marcell’s home.
Hansen was sentenced to 18 years in prison in July after pleading no contest to aggravated burglary and attempted murder. He has maintained his innocence and recently asked for a reduction of his sentence.