Albuquerque man guilty in Sandoval County child abuse case

Thomas Reyes-Sandoval, 29, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty on Oct. 27 to child abuse and sexual offense charges arising from a 2024 incident in Sandoval County. The defendant resolved the case three weeks before his scheduled trial.

Court records show prosecutors in the 13th Judicial District Court seek a total prison sentence of 22 years. This sentence includes 12 years suspended. Reyes-Sandoval will also register as a sex offender for life and serve intermediate probation ranging from five to 20 years.

The plea agreement states that at least three children, aged 13 to 17, were involved in the case. The document describes the minors as enduring torture and other forms of abuse, though specific details were not disclosed by the courts.

Reyes-Sandoval was originally indicted in March 2025 by the Sandoval County Sheriff's Office. The initial indictment listed criminal sexual penetration of a minor, four counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor, three counts of child abuse, and one count of battery. The location of the offenses remains undisclosed.

His guilty plea covers criminal sexual contact of a minor by a person in a position of authority, criminal sexual contact of a minor under age 13, two counts of child abuse, and battery against a household member. The plea resolves the charges that were set to begin at trial on Nov. 16.