Man charged with exposing himself to jogger

By Leslie Wood
Staff writer

Eric Hernandez

GALLUP — Authorities arrested a 22-year-old Mentmore man on felony charges of indecent exposure Thursday morning.

Eric Hernandez was booked into the McKinley County Adult Detention Center after authorities linked him to an incident of exposure in a remote area near the Mentmore Meadows subdivision in August.

The victim was jogging in the area when she was reportedly approached by a man later identified as Hernandez, according to an affidavit for arrest warrant released to the Independent. He reportedly exposed himself to her while he was masturbating.

The victim also reported that Hernandez grabbed her shoulder, but she was able to flee the scene without additional incident.

“(The victim) reported that if the male had been able to hold onto her that he would have ‘thrown me down and done whatever,’’ the affidavit reads.

Hernandez was arrested at a family residence in Gamerco Thursday morning after the victim was able to identify him as the man who exposed himself to her. Further details about the investigation were not released.

Investigator Ron Saavedra, of the McKinley County Sheriff’s Department, said Hernandez is a suspect in several other incidents of indecent exposure in the area.

“He’s habitual,” Saavedra said. “He has done this in several locations in the Gallup area.”

Investigators are particularly concerned about the escalation in Hernandez’s alleged pattern of conduct and that he reportedly tried to detain the Mentmore jogger.

“This is a person who’s motivated by sexual satisfaction,” District Attorney Karl Gillson said. “ ... This is indeed serious.”

Hernandez is reportedly a suspect in similar cases that date back to 2004.

“He’s getting bolder,” Saavedra said of Hernandez. “ ... That’s another red flag that concerns us.”

Investigator Maryann Bullhead routinely tracks local sex offenders and said they often begin their criminal careers by exposing themselves.

“I think it’s really important that the public become more aware,” Bullhead said. “A lot of our offenders have started out like this.”

As of Thursday afternoon, sheriff’s department officials reported that Hernandez had bonded out of jail. If convicted, Hernandez could face up to a year and a half in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

Anyone who has been the victim of similar incidents of indecent exposure, is asked to call the sheriff’s department at (505) 722-7205.