Portales man receives prison sentence

Freedom New Mexico

A Portales man pleaded guilty Thursday in a Portales courtroom to kidnapping and was sentenced to eight years in prison, according to a press release from the district attorney’s office.

George Vela, 28, also pleaded guilty to aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, the release said. Other charges, including criminal sexual penetration, were dropped as a part of Vela’s plea agreement, according to Deputy District Attorney Donna Mowrer, who prosecuted the case.

The charges stem from a February 2007 incident during which Vela held a woman against her will at his residence, the release said. The woman escaped and notified authorities after he left the house to go to the store, the release said.

Vela was captured after leading police on a high speed chase, the release said.

Vela will serve five years of intensive supervised probation, the release said.