Man accused of molestation hires high-profile lawyer
TAOS — A Questa man indicted last week on charges of molesting one girl and battering another has hired an attorney who has represented numerous defendants in high-profile cases in Taos, including a former Questa High School coach accused of raping a teenager.
Raymond Hernandez, 29, had been scheduled to appear earlier this week in the state District Court in Taos for a hearing to determine if he should remain in jail until his trial. However, after a judge learned he had hired a new defense attorney, Alan Maestas, the hearing was reset for Tuesday.
A grand jury indicted Hernandez on Jan. 31 on charges of criminal sexual contact of a minor, battery and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, accusing him of giving two 13-year-old girls alcohol and assaulting them last month at a home in Peñasco.
The Taos County Sheriff ’s Office investigation into allegations against Hernandez led to separate child rape cases against him in January, both of which have since been dismissed by state prosecutors.
The first, filed Jan. 17, alleged Hernandez had raped a 19-month-old girl the same night he is accused of attacking the two teens.
The second case, filed Jan. 24, accused Hernandez of raping a 5-year-old girl at a neighboring house in Peñasco.
The District Attorney’s Office can refile the charges in those cases at a future date or present the cases before a grand jury. The agency has not indicated whether it intends to pursue either of those options.
Hernandez was arrested three times in January in the three cases. A Taos County Magistrate Court judge twice ordered his release on an unsecured appearance bonds, but he has remained in jail since his most recent arrest Jan. 28.
His detention hearing in the molestation case is set for 10:30 a.m. Tuesday before Judge Jeff McElroy.