Albuquerque Man Sentenced to 20 Years for Child Abuse
Joseph Lacour-Benavidez received the prison term after pleading guilty to multiple charges involving minors.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Crime — General
Joseph Lacour-Benavidez was sentenced to 20 years in prison following his guilty plea for criminal sexual penetration and child abuse. The case involves his contact with runaway juveniles found in his Albuquerque home.
Why it matters
The sentencing addresses serious criminal activity involving minors and highlights the risks posed by recidivist offenders. This case serves as a point of closure regarding the discovery of runaway children in the defendant's residence.
Joseph Lacour-Benavidez pleaded guilty to four counts of criminal sexual penetration, three counts of child abuse, and two counts of criminal sexual communication with a child. He was previously convicted of rape in 2002.
The players
Joseph Lacour-Benavidez
He is a registered sex offender who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for criminal activities involving minors.
The details
Police discovered two runaway juveniles, aged 11 and 14, at the residence of the registered sex offender in April 2025. Investigators subsequently found text evidence confirming a sexual relationship between the defendant and the older juvenile.
Timeline
In 2002, the defendant committed a rape involving a 12-year-old.
Police found two runaway juveniles in the defendant's home in April 2025.
Joseph Lacour-Benavidez was sentenced to 20 years in prison in September 2026.
Legal Context
This sentencing follows a pattern set by the defendant's 2002 rape conviction, illustrating the repeat nature of these criminal offenses. It underscores the challenges within the justice system regarding monitoring registered sex offenders.
The resolution of this case removes a convicted sex offender from the local community, addressing safety concerns related to the presence of runaway juveniles. Residents should continue to report suspicious activity involving minors to local law enforcement.
The takeaway
This case highlights the importance of monitoring registered offenders to protect vulnerable youth in the community. Authorities encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any sightings of missing or runaway children immediately.
Further reading
For more information on local legal proceedings, visit the Albuquerque Crime — General section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KRQE 13.
