AG Balderas Announces Maximum Sentence for Former West Las Vegas Middle School Security Guard Convicted of Sexual Crimes Against Children

For Immediate Release:
March 21, 2022
Contact: Jerri Mares – (505) 321-4372

ALBUQUERQUE, NM — Today, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced the sentencing of former Las Vegas security guard, Abran Ulibarri. Judge Abigail Aragon imposed the maximum sentence allowed under the plea of ten years in the New Mexico Department of Corrections. The victim also spoke to the court in favor of incarceration. “This was not a lapse of judgment,” Judge Aragon said at sentencing. “It was premeditated, predatory conduct on a vulnerable child.” Ulibarri was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence.

“I honor this young student for having the courage to confront the offender and ensure this predator will not harm another student,” said Attorney General Hector Balderas. “My office will continue to fight to make sure that predators who use their positions of influence and authority to prey on children are held accountable.”

Ulibarri used his position of authority to sexually assault a fourteen-year-old middle school student on campus during school hours several times over the course of the school year in 2019. On February 21, 2022, Ulibarri pled guilty to six crimes, including criminal sexual penetration of a minor, three counts of false imprisonment, criminal solicitation to commit tampering with evidence, and bribery of a witness.

In addition to his prison sentence, Ulibarri will have to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.

The case was investigated by special agents from the Office of the Attorney General and prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Caitlin L. Dillon and Jesse Pecoraro.

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