Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
TUCUMCARI - A Tucumcari man was arrested Monday on 23 felony charges connected to alleged criminal sexual penetration and criminal exploitation of girls ranging in age from 14 to 17.
Anthony Groomas, 29, was booked into the Quay County Detention Center on a $15,000 cash only bond following his arrest, according to a release from New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas' office.
Groomas is charged with five counts of second-degree criminal sexual penetration, 12 counts of sexual exploitation of children (four for production, seven for manufacturing, one for possession), five counts of contributing to delinquency of a minor and one count of tampering with evidence.
It was not immediately known if Groomas had an attorney.
The time period of the alleged crimes occurred between May 2015 and February, said James Hallinan, a spokesman for Balderas' office.
Hallinan said tips came from the National Center for Mission and Exploited Children.
Hallinan said through the course of the investigation social media conversations between Groomas and the minors were reviewed. He said additional interviews with the minors were conducted.
Based on the information the AG's agents received they served a search warrant on Feb. 3 at Groomas' residence in Tucumcari where several electronic devices were taken into custody, Hallinan said.
"Protecting New Mexico's children from sexual predators is our highest priority and I am urging the public to come forward with any information they have about these charges or related offenses," Balderas said. "Whether you live in cities like Albuquerque or Las Cruces, or more rural areas like Quay County, parents must watch for signs of sexual predators soliciting their children and report it to authorities immediately."