A Las Cruces bounty hunter, Robert Jay Hernandez, was charged on May 1 with federal crimes related to alleged sex trafficking and forced labor involving individuals he bonded out of jail.
The case is significant as it highlights allegations that a person in a position of authority exploited vulnerable people, including those struggling with addiction and unstable housing. Authorities say the victims were coerced through threats of being returned to jail if they did not comply.
According to court documents, Hernandez worked for a bail bond company in Las Cruces and allegedly required those he bonded out from the Doña Ana County Detention Center to live at his residence. Investigators allege that Hernandez provided drugs to these individuals and then coerced them into performing sexual acts, labor, or other services under threat. In one reported instance from October 2024, a male victim said he was made to work without pay in bounty hunting activities while living at Hernandez’s home and was given fentanyl as supposed medical treatment despite lacking any prescription. After leaving the residence, this victim was reportedly turned over to immigration authorities by Hernandez.
In another case from March 2025, Hernandez allegedly contacted a female inmate with explicit threats before bonding her out. The woman stated she was forced into sexual acts under fear of being sent back to jail. She also described an incident where she tried to leave but was forcibly returned at gunpoint by Hernandez. A third victim said after being bonded out in November 2025, she had her access to fentanyl controlled by Hernandez and complied with his demands for sex due to fear of withdrawal symptoms or being jailed again.
Other witnesses described similar patterns of behavior involving female inmates dependent on substances who were expected to provide sexual favors for assistance. Court records further allege that Hernandez unlawfully possessed multiple firearms despite having a prior felony conviction.
Hernandez faces three counts of forced labor along with charges including felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and sex trafficking by force or coercion. He will remain detained until his hearing scheduled for May 5. If convicted on all charges, he could face up to life imprisonment.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said: “First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.”
The investigation involved several agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office (Las Cruces Resident Agency), Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, Doña Ana County Detention Center, Metro Narcotics Task Force (Las Cruces / Dona Ana County), Homeland Security Investigation - Las Cruces; prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Grant Gardner and Maria Y. Armijo.
Authorities remind the public that criminal complaints are only allegations; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
