Las Cruces Man, 37, Booked on Felony Charges in Child Exploitation Investigation

Allegedly... Matthew Esai Hernandez, 37, of Las Cruces, was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on June 30, 2026. The booking, number 2600005235, followed an arrest at 1850 Copper Loop on a felony charge categorized as all other offenses. He is currently being held without bond. According to news reports and Department of Justice records, Hernandez was arrested in connection with a federal child exploitation case. The investigation began as a human trafficking inquiry, during which authorities reportedly discovered child pornography on the defendant's cellphone. News accounts identified Hernandez as the son of a local bounty hunter and noted the charges followed a specific search by investigators. The charges are allegations, and Hernandez is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.