New Mexico Man Convicted in Amarillo Minor Sex Case

Following a three-day trial, a federal jury in Amarillo convicted a New Mexico man who kidnapped and assaulted a young girl from Texas, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Erin Nealy Cox.

Royce Wade Lander, 32, of Continental Divide, N.M., was convicted Wednesday evening of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

According to testimony presented at trial, Mr. Lander picked up his minor victim at a truck stop near Amarillo. He drove her hundreds of miles along I-40 into New Mexico, where he sexually assaulted her until she was able to escape.

Mr. Lander now faces a sentence of up to life in federal prison.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Potter County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sean Taylor, Anna Marie Bell, and Josh Frausto prosecuted the case.