Former Portales man sentenced to 18 years in prison

STAFF WRITER

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A former Portales man was sentenced to 18 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to child molestation charges.

Jose Zamora, 33, pleaded to three separate counts — one count of criminal sexual penetration of a child under the age of 13 and two counts of criminal sexual penetration by the use of force or coercion on a child 13 to 18 years of age resulting in personal injury to a pregnancy.

Zamora was accused of molesting a teenage girl over a four-year period. The incidents for which Zamora was convicted took place between August 2009 and September 2014, according to Deputy District Attorney Jake Boazman.

Judge Donna Mowrer said Zamora would serve 18 years in prison, after which he would serve an indeterminate period of supervised parole. Mowrer said Zamora will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life.

“In discussing this plea, given the acts that were involved, the state had a large range of time that it could have sought in this case. The state went to the victims with the offer,” Boazman said.

Zamora

“Based on the age of the child in this case, she did not wish to go forward for trial. These are horrific acts, and the only reason this plea is taking place is because of the child and the child’s wishes in this case.”

Zamora’s attorney Tye Harmon said he was satisfied the state would have secured a conviction if the case had gone to trial.

Devon Page, a victim advocate for the district attorney’s office, read a statement written by the victim’s mother:

“It’s hard on the whole family. My heart breaks to see my kids lose someone they love. My relationship with my kids has changed. I have changed in many ways. I have trust issues now. My oldest and I have a rocky relationship.

“I can’t change the past. All I can do is hope and pray for the best. It’s going to take a lot to mend a broken family.’”

The victim’s grandmother spoke next, expressing her anger at what Zamora had done but reminding him that God would be the judge of his actions:

“What I have to say to you is, how can you violate and destroy somebody’s life? You have destroyed all your children’s plus my granddaughter’s life.

There is a God above, and I hope he forgives you. I’m not your maker, and I’m not here to put judgment against you.

“You have destroyed my family, somebody that I love and care for, somebody that I gave life to because God gave me life.”

Zamora declined an opportunity to speak.