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Alleged Gallup child molester free on $20K bond

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Report too graphic to list details

A Gallup man, arrested on three charges of criminal sexual contact with a minor, a child under 13 years old, remains free on a $20,000 bail bond after being released from the McKinley County Detention Center on March 29. Eric Hernandez, 31, was taken into custody about a week earlier on the molestation charges.

According to a report, Hernandez, over an extended period of time, allegedly fondled the private parts of at least one child and at various places in his West Wilson residence. The skin-crawling details, too graphic to note in this report, led to Hernandez’s arrest.

Officials with the Gallup Police Department interviewed the 5-year-old little boy, who according to the arrest warrant, said Hernandez has repeatedly “touched” him inappropriately. The interview was recorded at the Gallup police department on video and audio and in the presence of at least one detective, the arrest warrant states.

The arrest warrant reveals that Hernandez physically disciplines the little boy in a manner, which is consistent with child abuse.

In one instance, according to the testimony of the 5-year-old kid to the police detective, Hernandez touched his private parts while at least two other of kids were in the living room and watching television.

Hernandez was released on bond March 9. There was no attorney listed in jail records for Hernandez.

By Bernie Dotson
Sun Correspondent