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Son of alleged Las Cruces bounty hunter charged in federal child exploitation case
By Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
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Why this matters in The El Paso
The charges against Matthew Hernandez have significant implications for the El Paso community, given the close proximity to Las Cruces and the potential for exploitation to cross state lines. As the case against Hernandez and his father, Robert Jay Hernandez, moves forward, El Paso residents should be aware of the warning signs of human trafficking and exploitation, including suspicious activity at local bail bond companies or reports of forced labor. The fact that Robert Jay Hernandez allegedly worked for a bail bond company in Las Cruces raises questions about the oversight and regulation of these businesses in the region. El Pasoans should also be vigilant about online safety, as the case against Matthew Hernandez involves the use of messaging apps to obtain child sexual abuse material. The minimum 25-year sentence Hernandez faces if convicted serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences for those who engage in these heinous crimes.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? var cachebuster = Math.round(new Date().getTime() / 1000);
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When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gabrielle Lopez at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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