A former Las Cruces teacher and coach who pled guilty to two felony offenses involving students is scheduled to be sentenced on Thursday, November 5.
Wyatt Cornelius is scheduled to appear in court, where Judge Richard Jacquez will determine his sentence after spending more than six months in jail while awaiting the hearing.
Cornelius was arrested on child sex charges and pled guilty on October 19.
Cornelius is facing a maximum sentence of 36 months. A counsel for two of the child survivors has asked Jacquez to impose the maximum sentence, calling the sentencing a watershed moment for the families.
“This is a crime against the entire community because this is a former educator, a former coach who was trading on the trust that parents and teachers have in coaches,” said Annie Mason, an attorney with Holt & Mason.
Mason said the firm is also looking into whether Las Cruces Public Schools ignored any warning flags.
Cornelius’ plea agreement requires him to register as a sex offender for ten years.
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