Police issue warrant for sex offender who failed to register

Gilberto Garate, 48, of Rio Rancho, is wanted for two counts of failure to register as a sex offender as of Jan. 12.

Garate was convicted of 10 counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor in 2004 in the 13th Judicial District Court. He is required to register as a sex offender every 90 days for the remainder of his life.

Officers received a phone call on Nov. 30 regarding Garate, who hadn’t been seen or heard from in several months. The caller said the residence appeared to be vacant and Garate had not paid any bills in almost six months.

Officers checked out Garate’s residence on Plum Road Dec. 4. There was no answer at the door for several minutes, and the front door was locked. They also called him several times, and he still hasn’t answered officers’ calls.

Officers contacted Garate’s brother on Dec. 18 in California for a welfare check. He said Garate had been in California and was working but didn’t clarify how long or where he would be living in California.

Garate is required to notify police at least 30 days before he moves to another state.

Garate was scheduled to appear on or before Jan. 11 for his quarterly registration but never showed up.

If he is found, he could face up to three years in prison.