By John Larson
SOCORRO – The man accused of sexually molesting a 15-year-old Alamo girl was bound over to District Court on Wednesday by Magistrate Judge Jim Naranjo.
Testimony from the victim, the victim’s brother and State Police officer Greg Valentino persuaded Naranjo to send the case to District Court on all 13 counts.
The defendant, Mark Shaddock, 44, a counselor at Alamo School, has been charged with three counts of criminal sexual penetration, three counts of kidnapping, two counts of criminal sexual contact, four counts of child abuse and one count of aggravated stalking.
In her testimony, the victim described in detail Shaddock’s behavior with her in three separate episodes in her home over the period of June 22 through June 26.
Naranjo was compelled to halt the proceedings twice for several minutes to let the girl regain her composure outside the courtroom.
The victim’s older brother testified that he was given permission by Shaddock to use his car on the afternoons in question to go to the Alamo Wellness Center to play basketball.
“When I came back, the front door was locked, so I had to use the doorbell,” he said.
He also testified that he has removed the screens from one of the windows to sneak out at night with his sister to visit the Shaddock house.
Valentino testified that in his interview with the accused, Shaddock claimed that it was the girl who initiated intimate contact.
Defense Attorney Lee Deschamps produced no witnesses.
In her closing statement, Deputy District Attorney Stacey Ward told Naranjo “this is a terrified young child.”
“If you decide to bind this case over to District Court, I will be putting forth evidence showing why victims of this type of crime feel powerless,” she said. “Powerless to speak out even after the perpetrator has left, leaving her open to have it happen again.”
Ward said the victim “amply illustrated” in her testimony the repeated sexual assaults by Shaddock.
“This was a school counselor, a family friend, who was trusted,” she said.
Shaddock’s arraignment in District Court had not been set as of press time.
Posts
