Crime & Safety
Lincoln County, NM Man Arrested on 13 Child Sex Crime Charges
Ruidoso, NM – A 42 year old man has been taken into custody near Ruidoso following a New Mexico State Police investigation into alleged sexual offenses involving a minor, with authorities reporting 13
By Erin Vale · 2026-11-04T23:55:03.779Z
Ruidoso, NM – A 42 year old man has been taken into custody near Ruidoso following a New Mexico State Police investigation into alleged sexual offenses involving a minor, with authorities reporting 13 criminal charges.
According to New Mexico State Police, officers responded Wednesday, Nov. 4, to a residence on Bonito Lake Road in the Nogal Ruidoso area to serve an arrest warrant on Nathan Howard, 42.
The warrant followed an investigation conducted by the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau.
Authorities said Howard's history prompted additional law enforcement resources to assist with the arrest operation.
The New Mexico State Police Fugitive Apprehension Unit and Tactical Team responded, along with personnel from the U.S. Marshals Office.
State Police confirmed that Howard was taken into custody.
The agency listed six counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor, six counts of criminal sexual penetration and one count of enticement of a child.
Together, the allegations account for 13 criminal charges.
The department did not disclose the age of the alleged victim or provide additional details about the circumstances underlying the investigation in the supplied announcement.
Authorities also did not specify when the alleged offenses occurred or how long the investigation had been underway.
The arrest took place in the Bonito Lake Road area, near the communities of Nogal and Ruidoso in Lincoln County.
New Mexico State Police issued a public announcement addressing residents in those communities and surrounding areas following the operation.
The department did not report injuries or provide details about any confrontation during the arrest.
Information about Howard's bond status, initial court appearance and potential additional proceedings was not included in the announcement.
The charges remain allegations, and Howard is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.