Ex-Las Cruces teacher sentenced to 2 years in prison for electronic child solicitation

Ex-Las Cruces teacher sentenced to 2 years in prison for electronic child solicitation by Erika Esquivel Thu, November 5, 2026 at 1:02 PM Updated Thu, November 5, 2026 at 3:35 PM 14 VIEW ALL PHOTOS Wyatt Cornelius in court (credit: KFOX14/CBS4) Comment on this story 1 Comment Share story Share topics: Las Cruces Teacher Child solicitation Snapchat Sex offender Pleaded guilty Sentencing Doña Ana County LAS CRUCES, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) — A former Camino Real Middle School teacher and coach was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to two felony charges involving electronic messages with a student. Wyatt Cornelius, 43, was sentenced to 18 months in the New Mexico Department of Corrections for child solicitation by electronic communication device. The judge credited him with six months and 15 days already served. For contributing to the delinquency of a minor, Cornelius received another 18-month sentence, with one year suspended. He must serve the remaining six months consecutively to the first sentence. The judge suspended $5,000 fines on both counts and ordered a $100 DNA fee. After his prison term, Cornelius will serve one year of parole. The court also ordered one year of supervised probation, including sex offender treatment if recommended by his probation officer, random drug and alcohol testing, and warrantless searches. Cornelius pleaded guilty to child solicitation by electronic communication device and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the Doña Ana County District Attorney’s Office. The plea agreement dismissed a criminal sexual contact charge and two additional charges from a separate case involving a second victim. Cornelius asked the judge for probation Thursday, saying he takes responsibility for inappropriate communication with a student and wants to continue what he described as his recovery. “I understand that my communication with the minor was inappropriate,” Cornelius told the court. “It crossed the line that no teacher should cross.” Cornelius apologized to the student’s family, his former employer, Las Cruces Public Schools, and his own family. He said he had spent the past six and a half months in jail reflecting on his actions and participating in Bible study and counseling. He told the judge he planned to pursue individual and marriage counseling, join Celebrate Recovery and complete any evaluations or treatment ordered by the court. He also said he hoped to volunteer and continue helping other men through Bible study. Cornelius said his son, who turns 6 next week, had asked when his father would come home. He told the judge missing the past six and a half months of his son’s life had been difficult. “I ask you humbly to grant me probation,” Cornelius said. “I will follow every condition the court sets.” Prosecutors said the case involved Snapchat conversations with a 14-year-old student in which Cornelius made sexually explicit comments and encouraged the student to sneak out. RECOMMENDED : Former Las Cruces teacher pleads guilty to online child solicitation Cornelius is also required to register as a sex offender for 10 years, the DA’s office said. Cornelius was arrested in April after Las Cruces police investigated allegations that he exchanged inappropriate messages with a student and touched the student during class and at sporting events. At the time, he was a teacher and coach at Camino Real Middle School. Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox. 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