Lucas Miltenberger convicted on multiple felony child sex charges

A jury returned guilty verdicts Jan. 17, 2026, finding Lucas Miltenberger guilty on several felony sex crime charges involving children, concluding a week-long trial that followed a multiagency investigation. The outcome brings a high-profile prosecution to a close and underscores community concerns about protecting children and strengthening interagency cooperation.

The investigation began in February 2023 when the Albuquerque Police Department opened a probe after a forensic interview produced allegations of sexual abuse of a minor naming Miltenberger. Because the allegations involved locations in more than one jurisdiction, the case was transferred to the New Mexico State Police Investigations Bureau in March 2023. State police investigators subsequently identified a second potential victim; an interview with that child yielded disclosures consistent with criminal sexual contact of a minor.

A grand jury returned an indictment Sept. 9, 2024, charging Miltenberger with multiple felonies, including eight counts of Criminal Sexual Penetration in the Second Degree, Bribery of a Witness, Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, multiple counts of Criminal Sexual Contact of a Minor, and Abuse of a Child. Miltenberger was arrested and taken into custody Sept. 24, 2024. After a trial earlier this week, jurors found him guilty on several of those charges. He now faces a statutory maximum of up to 91.5 years in prison.

For Los Alamos County residents, the case reverberates beyond court records. Families, schools and community organizations that serve children have been reminded of the importance of reporting concerns quickly and of the emotional toll such cases take on victims, siblings and extended family. The New Mexico State Police commended the victims and their family for their courage and cooperation throughout the investigation and judicial process, noting that their participation was essential to the prosecution.

The case also highlights how investigations that cross municipal lines are handled in New Mexico. Initial reporting by a municipal police department shifted to the state bureau because alleged conduct touched multiple jurisdictions, illustrating the layers of coordination that can be required in child-abuse investigations and prosecutions.

Next steps include pre-sentencing procedures and the scheduling of a sentencing hearing, as well as the possibility of post-conviction appeals. For residents concerned about safety or seeking guidance, local law enforcement and child protective services remain the immediate points of contact for reporting suspected abuse or seeking support. The conviction closes one chapter of a difficult case, but it also signals continued community focus on prevention, support for survivors and vigilance in protecting children across Los Alamos County.