Man jailed on sex charges

Police jailed a Tucumcari man after he was accused of sexually assaulting a Colorado woman visiting a friend in the city.

Jorge Cosme, 38, is charged with three counts of criminal sexual penetration by force or coercion, a third-degree felony that could lead up to three years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.

Cosme’s name also was listed as George Cosme in booking records.

Magistrate Judge Timothy O’Quinn on June 8 found probable cause in the case and ordered Cosme held without bond.

According to a complaint filed by Tucumcari Police Detective Reyes Gonzales:

n Officers were sent to a home June 6 to talk to the alleged victim. She said she came from Colorado to Tucumcari to stay with a female friend.

• The alleged victim said they all went to the lake, and Cosme flirted and tried to touch her, despite her and her friend telling him to stop.

• After leaving the grocery store in Tucumcari, the alleged victim said she went to Cosme’s home, where he pushed her on the bed, ripped off her clothes and forced himself onto her twice and engaged in a sex act with her. She pleaded with him not to do so.

• She said she eventually was able to push him off, run away and call her friend. Her friend in turn called 911. The victim’s friend said she could tell she was crying.

• Another Tucumcari officer interviewed the victim, who gave details about Cosme and his bedroom. While Cosme was detained in a holding cell, an officer wrote out search warrants for Cosme’s residence and to recover evidence from his body.

• Cosme initially denied having sex with the woman but said they did earlier and “were just playing around.” After additional questioning, Cosme said they had sex in his room and committed a sex act with her.

• Gonzales told Cosme he believed the victim’s story.

• Gonzales said he contacted a sexual-assault nurse who examined the victim at Trigg Memorial Hospital. The nurse said the injuries she found were consistent with forceful sexual penetration.

A pretrial motion by District Attorney Timothy Rose stated Cosme had a criminal history, held at least one alias and appeared to be in the United States illegally.

Rose stated he confirmed Cosme’s convictions in 2007 for assault and criminal damage to property, and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had a hold against him.

Rose urged Cosme be held without bond because he was a risk for flight or deportation.

Public defender Anna Aragon was appointed as Cosme’s lawyer in the case. She could not be reached for comment.

Cosme remained jailed at the Quay County Detention Center on Monday morning.