Vacuum salesman sentenced for assault

CLOVIS — An Albuquerque man convicted last year of sexually assaulting a woman while visiting her home to sell vacuums was sentenced Thursday to three years in prison.

Brandon Barron, 29, was convicted Nov. 1 by a Curry County jury on the third-degree felony charge of criminal sexual penetration. The incident stemmed from March of 2017, when “a victim reported that a ... vacuum salesman had sexually assaulted her in her home,” according to a news release Friday from the 9th Judicial District Attorney.

Judge Fred Van Soelen gave Barron the maximum sentence of three years in prison, remarking in the sentencing hearing that he was getting a break.

“I think it’s ridiculous that our Legislature has chosen three years as the maximum sentence for this crime,” Van Soelen said in the release.

Barron’s defense attorney Richard Valdez declined comment but said Barron still has almost a month to appeal if he desires. Since the crime was not categorized as a serious violent offense, Barron is eligible for good-time release.

“The facts of the case were kind of crazy, but there certainly wasn’t any serious violence involved,” Valdez told The News.