ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Ricky L. Romero, 27, of Roswell, New Mexico, appeared in federal court on March 23 where he is charged with coercion and enticement of a minor and receiving child pornography. A federal grand jury indicted Romero on March 16.
According to the indictment and other court records, from March 4 to March 6, 2019, in Chaves County, New Mexico, Romero allegedly coerced a minor to produce child pornography and received videos and images of child pornography on his iPhone. Romero was a New Mexico State Police officer at the time the offenses were committed.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Romero faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
The Roswell Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Chaves County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Joni Autrey Stahl is prosecuting the case.
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