Trial in 2003 'Arroyo Molester' case begins

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Jury selection is underway in the trial of the man dubbed the “Arroyo Molester” Monday.

Genaro Sandoval was arrested over five years ago after investigators linked him the sexual assault of a young boy in an Albuquerque arroyo.

Monday’s trial is just one in a series of cases which Sandoval is accused of sexually attacking young boys.  Last week a judge ruled to separate this case because it involves DNA evidence.

In this specific case from 2003, an 11-year-old boy told police Sandoval lured him under a bridge on his way home from school, and raped him at gunpoint. 

Four years later DNA taken from the victim’s clothing was matched to Sandoval after he was arrested for videotaping naked boys in Gallup.

According to the DA’s office jury selection is expected to last through Monday and possibly into Tuesday.

Opening statements could begin as early as Tuesday afternoon.

Sandoval is also charged in a series of additional sexual attacks on boys in the Northeast Heights through 2005.  He will be tried for those charges separately.

Sandoval agreed to accept a plea deal in the summer of 2011 that would have put him away for 54 years, but to the surprise of his own attorneys and prosecutors at the last minute, he said no.

In 2007 Sandoval was indicted on 25 different counts relating to the series of sexual attacks.

He is facing up to 94 years in prison.