Dustin Lee Pettit Found Guilty on Multiple Child Sexual Abuse Charges and Sentenced to 48 years
Raton, NM — On the afternoon of Wednesday, April 1, 2026, Defendant, Dustin Lee Pettit, was found guilty by a jury of his peers in District Court of two counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration of a Child Under the Age of thirteen and two counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Child Under the Age of thirteen. The three-day jury trial was presided over by District Judge Steven Romero in Raton, New Mexico.
On March 2, 2025, deputies with the Colfax County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call involving child sexual abuse. Pettit’s niece disclosed during a therapy session that Pettit had inappropriately touched her several years earlier. Pettit’s niece wrote the disclosure during the session with her therapist and mother present.
During the same report, it was conveyed that the Defendant may have also inappropriately touched his own daughter. Colfax County sheriff’s deputies subsequently interviewed the Defendant’s ex-wife, who confirmed that her daughter had likewise reported inappropriate touching by the Defendant.
Deputies notified the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department Statewide Central Intake, which initiated separate investigations for both children. Both children participated in Saferoom forensic interviews. During those interviews, both children disclosed abuse by the Defendant.
At trial, prosecutors Jonathan Gardner and Darryl Bouchard presented evidence establishing each element of the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt. The State’s case included testimony from the victims, as well as testimony from adults in the victims’ lives who described behavioral changes. An expert witness testified for the State that behavior change is common following sexual abuse.
“The courage of these children to come forward and testify is incredible,” said District Attorney Marcus Montoya. “This verdict reflects the jury’s careful consideration of the evidence and sends a clear message that crimes against children will be thoroughly investigated and aggressively prosecuted. Our office remains committed to protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
District Judge Steven Romero conducted a sentencing hearing shortly after the guilty verdict was announced by the jury, where Dustin Lee Pettit was sentenced to 48 years in prison. With good time credit, Dustin Pettit will be released from prison no earlier than 2066.
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