Foster parent convicted of rape sentenced to probation
A New Mexico foster parent convicted on six counts of rape will not serve any time in prison. Manual Preciado, 64, was arrested in 2015 after a teenage boy came forward saying Preciado raped and molested him while he stayed in his Tucumcari, NM, home on a nearly daily basis over nine months.
He was the second child to come forward with such claims.
Thursday in court, Preciado's attorney argued the level of abuse was taken out of context and worried for the well-being of his wife's health if he were to be sent to prison.
Preciado took a plea deal and faced up to six years behind bars.
Judge Louis McDonald sentenced him to time served and probation.
The victim's attorney says the light sentence sets a bad precedent for child abuse in New Mexico. "What's so upsetting about this, is that this child and his family will live with the repercussions of that sexual abuse for a lifetime. This man will spend not one day in prison," the attorney said.
Preciado will also have to register as a sex offender. If he violates probation, he will face up to 15 years behind bars.
https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/foster-parent-facing-sexual-assault-charges-to-be-sentenced/1799374482