Albuquerque sex offender pleads guilty to additional child sex crimes

An Albuquerque man with a prior child rape conviction pleaded guilty Thursday to additional child sex crimes. Joseph Lacour-Benavidez admitted to multiple counts of criminal sexual penetration, child abuse and criminal sexual communication, offenses that carry a potential sentence of up to two decades in prison.

Lacour-Benavidez pleaded guilty to four counts of criminal sexual penetration of a minor, three counts of child abuse, and two counts of criminal sexual communication with a child.

In April 2025, Albuquerque Police found two runaway juveniles, ages 11 and 14, inside Lacour-Benavidez’s home. Investigators discovered text messages showing Lacour-Benavidez had been in a sexual relationship with the 14-year-old for several months.

Lacour-Benavidez was already a registered sex offender for the 2002 rape of a 12-year-old.

Sentencing will take place next week, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said.