Former computer teacher pleads not guilty to sex offenses

ALAMOGORDO — A Ruidoso man facing a raft of criminal charges alleging possession of child pornography and sexual abuse involving approximately seven children at a private school where he formerly worked was arraigned Monday in a virtual court hearing.

Devin Henderson, 23, pleaded not guilty to 22 counts of possessing media depicting sexual exploitation of children; seven counts of second-degree criminal sexual contact of a minor; seven counts of enticement of a child; three counts of distributing sexually-oriented materials to minors; and one count of indecent exposure.

During the hearing, state District Judge Daniel Bryant granted a motion from prosecutor Michael Tighe of District Attorney Ryan Suggs’ office to continue holding Henderson in custody ahead of his trial.

“He’s still no more guilty than anyone else that’s been accused of a crime,” defense attorney Travis Marston argued, pointing to Henderson’s lack of criminal history and suggesting a high bond to secure his appearance in court would be appropriate, regardless of the number of counts and the “ugly accusations.”

Henderson was a computer lab technician at Mountain View Christian Academy in Ruidoso when, according to police, Henderson would arrange to be alone with young students, touching them inappropriately, some under their clothing, and showing some of them nude or seminude images of himself or other sexual images. He is also alleged to have exposed himself to a child. The students were between the ages of five and nine.

Tighe told the judge that an ongoing investigation discovered computer-generated or computer-modified “deepfake” pornographic material on at least two of his own electronic devices, and suggested additional charges might be brought against Henderson.

Bryant noted that if Henderson were convicted of all the current charges, consecutive sentences would run more than 140 years, and that even with “generous” concurrent sentencing and the maximum allowable time reduced for good behavior, Henderson risked spending much of the remainder of his life in prison.

The judge also took into account a statement by Tighe that Henderson allegedly continued to download prohibited material as recently as February, when he was aware police were investigating him and had executed a search warrant for his electronics. Prosecutors argued this demonstrated Henderson could not be trusted to comply with conditions of release.

“It is one of the most serious kinds of cases that can come before the court in the context of criminal proceedings in New Mexico,” Bryant said.

Counting the criminal sexual contact charges as violent crimes under the law, the weight of evidence against Henderson and considering that the children involved in the allegations live in the community with their families, Bryant granted the motion to hold the defendant.