A New Mexico man, Freddy Valenzuela, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the 1992 rape of a 10-year-old girl. The crime remained unsolved for years until DNA evidence from the victim’s rape kit matched Valenzuela. The case was brought to court after a cold case investigation by the Bernalillo County District Attorney’s Cold Case Rape Unit (SAKI).
The victim, who was abducted and assaulted by Valenzuela while walking in her neighborhood, passed away in 2019. Despite her death, her family remained determined to see justice done. The family attended the court proceedings and expressed gratitude to the legal team for their tireless efforts. Valenzuela pled guilty to the crime in December 2023.
District Attorney Sam Bregman praised the SAKI team for their dedication to solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims, regardless of how much time had passed. The sentence serves as a reminder of the long-lasting impact of violent crimes and the pursuit of justice for victims and their families.
