Las Vegas man arrested on sex abuse charges
A Las Vegas man has been charged with felony criminal penetration and child abuse following a disturbance at a home in Las Vegas early Thursday morning.
Christopher M. Chavez, 38, was booked into the San Miguel County Detention Center on Thursday on six charges: criminal sexual penetration, abuse of a child for placing a child in a dangerous situation, false imprisonment, all of which are felonies, two counts of interference with communication, a misdemeanor, and aggravated battery against a household member, also a misdemeanor.
Chavez is employed by Luna Community College. He is listed as a “warehouse technician” on the college’s website.
According to a statement of probable cause filed in San Miguel Magistrate Court, just before 2 a.m., Las Vegas Police responded to a report of a woman being sexually assaulted by Chavez, while a young child was in the room.
The woman attempted to call police, but the phone call was ended by Chavez, according to court records.
Chavez admitted to pleasuring himself on top of the woman, with consent, and admitted to fondling her as well. He also admitted to taking a phone from the woman during her first attempt to call the police. Chavez was released on a $1,000 cash bond on Friday and was ordered to wear a GPS ankle monitor. His preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 8.
Chavez is listed as the sole employee of the “Warehouse/Receiving/Motorpool” department at Luna Community College.
Luna’s Interim President, Ricky Serna, told the Optic by email that he wasn’t certain how long Chavez has worked at the college.
While he is aware of Chavez’s arrest, Serna said there are procedures to be followed, including ones that apply if an employee is unable to be on the job.
“We honor the privacy of our employees while they are off the clock,” Serna said. “If any employee conducts themselves in a manner that impacts their ability to adequately fulfill their role at the college, we will certainly take appropriate and just action.”
