Albuquerque sex offender pleads guilty to new child sex crimes
An Albuquerque man with a prior child rape conviction pleaded guilty Thursday to child sex crimes, including criminal sexual penetration of a minor. Joseph 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.
He faces up to two decades in prison. Sentencing will take place next week, Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman said.
