LAS CRUCES — A Las Cruces middle school teacher and coach previously ordered held in custody pending trial now faces two additional felony charges after a second alleged child victim came forward, according to the office of Holt & Mason, P.C.
Wyatt Cornelius is scheduled to appear in Third Judicial District Court at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24, for a hearing on his request to reconsider pretrial detention.
Cornelius was arrested in April following allegations involving a 14-year-old student. At the time, Las Cruces police said he was a teacher and coach at Camino Real Middle School. He was initially charged with criminal sexual contact of a minor, child solicitation by an electronic communication device and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
A grand jury indictment filed July 14 adds two counts of criminal sexual contact of a child ages 13 to 18 in a position of authority. Each count is a third-degree felony. The indictment alleges the conduct occurred in Doña Ana County between Sept. 1, 2025, and Feb. 1, 2026.
According to Holt & Mason, P.C., which represents a child victim and the victim’s family, the additional charges followed allegations by a second child victim. The firm said the court previously determined Cornelius should remain in custody pending trial because he posed a danger to the community.
The grand jury indictment is an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. Cornelius is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News – John@bravomic.com