Las Cruces Daycare Provider Pleads Guilty in Child Exploitation Case

ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces daycare provider pleaded guilty to knowingly possessing child sexual abuse material.

According to court documents, Juan Jose Cardiel-Hernandez, Sr., 80, admitted to possessing child pornography between January 2012, and December 2014.

In April of 2024, police searched Cardiel’s residence after allegations that he sexually abused a minor. In search of his residence, police located child sexual abuse material. At the time Cardiel was arrested, he was operating a daycare out of his home.

At sentencing, Cardiel faces two to eight years in prison. Upon his release from prison, Cardiel will be subject to no less than five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Ryan G. McRae, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso, made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department and the U.S. Marshals. Assistant United States Attorneys Jackson K. Dering V and Mark Saltman is prosecuting the case as part of as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.