Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) is seeking other potential victims in this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact HSI at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP (877-447-4847) or online at www.hsi.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice
ALBUQUERQUE – The owner of Cardiel Childcare Services in Las Cruces is charged with attempted enticement of a minor after an investigation revealed alleged systematic sexual abuse of a child under his care.
Juan Jose Cardiel, Sr., 79, appeared before a federal judge and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which is scheduled for December 11, 2025.
According to court documents, Cardiel allegedly showed the minor victim naked photos of herself as a baby and toddler, displayed a video of people engaging in sexual acts to the victim, forced the victim to perform sexual acts on him, and inappropriately touched the victim. This is alleged to have occurred on numerous occasions.
The complaint also states that Cardiel was previously arrested by Las Cruces Police Department on May 1, 2024, on state charges of Criminal Sexual Contact with a Minor.
If convicted of the current charge, Cardiel faces not less than 10 years in prison and up to life in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Jason T. Stevens, 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 Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Jackson Dering are 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.
HSI is seeking other potential victims in this case. Anyone with information is asked to contact HSI at 1-877-4-HSI-TIP (877-447-4847) or online at www.hsi.gov.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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