A disturbing New Mexico domestic violence case has emerged out of Las Cruces, where a 37-year-old man is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting his wife in front of their children and making deeply troubling threats.
Authorities say Alfred Sanchez was taken into custody following a violent incident at the family’s apartment late Sunday night. According to court documents, the alleged attack began after his wife declined his sexual advances due to not feeling well.
Investigators state that tensions escalated quickly. The affidavit claims Sanchez verbally abused his wife for hours before turning physical. At one point, he allegedly tore her eyeglasses off and threw them to the ground before grabbing her by the neck and forcing her onto a couch.
“Sanchez walked up to her and aggressively ripped her eyeglasses off her face and threw them to the ground,” the document alleges. “Sanchez then put one hand around her neck and squeezed hard, while pushing her into the couch. [The wife] stated that she told her five children to go to their room.”
The violence reportedly intensified as Sanchez pinned the woman down, repeatedly punched her, and slammed her head into the ground. The affidavit notes that the victim began experiencing a panic attack during the assault.
“[The wife] stated that she began to have a panic attack and Mr. Sanchez became afraid, picked her up and said he was ‘sorry’ and ‘I have to go,’ then left,” according to the affidavit.
Despite leaving briefly, police say Sanchez returned later that same night and forcibly re-entered the home by kicking in the front door. The woman managed to escape and sought help from a neighbor.
During the initial attack, the victim had been on the phone with a relative, who later told investigators she overheard a series of alarming statements. Among them were threats and disturbing remarks directed at both the woman and the children.
“If they were to get a new dad … the new dad was going to rape them,” Sanchez told the children, according to a probable cause affidavit.
Authorities say Sanchez also made additional threatening comments, including asking his wife if she wanted him to “kill her and the kids,” and suggesting she would have to exchange sex for child support if they separated.
Police interviewed several of the children, whose accounts appeared to support the allegations. A 9-year-old girl reportedly witnessed the altercation.
“she heard mom and dad yelling at each other, and saw her dad push her mom,” the affidavit states.
“[The child] began to cry and could not give any further statements,” the document adds.
A younger child also described the incident to investigators.
“that his dad had broken the door and started to fight with his mom,” the 6-year-old reportedly said, using gestures to demonstrate “punching and elbowing.”
“[The boy] advised his dad threw his mom on the ground,” according to the affidavit.
Following the incident, Sanchez was arrested and charged with aggravated battery against a household member resulting in great bodily harm, along with four additional counts of battery. Court records show he was ordered held without bond after appearing before the Las Cruces Magistrate Court.
Officials also confirmed that Sanchez has an open case with the New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department and has previously faced a charge related to contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The case remains under investigation as authorities continue to assess the safety and welfare of the children involved.
