Missing juvenile found drinking with man, 27, and two other juveniles

Mark Perez, about 27, of Rio Rancho, was arrested for three counts of contributing to delinquency of a minor Dec. 9 at an unspecified location. The arrest was the result of a missing juvenile case.

Officers spotted a blue Honda Civic, which matched the description of the car that picked up the juvenile, reverse into a parking spot. Perez, the missing juvenile and two other juveniles were in the car. Police also noticed several open beer containers and a beer box in the car.

The missing juvenile told officers she was with her friends, alluding to Perez, who she had known for a couple of months, and the other minors. She said the beer was Perez’s and that she had a couple of sips.

The other juveniles both said they did not have anything to drink and they had just met Perez that night.

When officers asked Perez about the containers, he said he only had one and the others were consumed by the minors in the back seat. He also said he thought the missing girl was 18 and that the other two were of age.

While at Sandoval County Detention Center, a sergeant told the arresting officer that the missing girl admitted she had also taken cocaine.

Perez could face up to three years in prison if he is convicted.