Man fails to appear for plea and sentencing to child sex abuse

A Lawton man slated to plead guilty Tuesday to charges for raping and sexually abusing two young sisters failed to appear for his plea and sentencing.

Joaquin Alvarado, 37, through is attorney Armando Mata, announced his intent Jan. 14 in Comanche County District Court to plead guilty to felony charges of first-degree rape of a victim under 12 years old, lewd or indecent acts to a child under 12, and child sexual abuse, court records indicate. He had been slated to go to trial during the upcoming February/March jury trial docket.

By failing to appear, Alvarado’s $20,000 bond posted following his initial court appearance in August 2023 was forfeited and a bench warrant was issued for his arrest.

The Constitution has information Alvarado may have fled the country, however that isn’t confirmed.

Alvarado was charged after the children’s mother contacted the Comanche County Sheriff’s Office to report a sexual assault case involving her daughter, now 11 years old, after the girl said she feared being raped and that Alvarado had sexually assaulted her multiple times since she was younger, the probable cause affidavit states. The girl told investigators Alvarado inappropriately touched her above and below her clothes since she was around 3 or 4 years old, the affidavit states.

The mother asked her now 16-year-old daughter if Alvarado had molested her and the girl said he had; the first time was when she was 6 or 7 years old, the affidavit states. She said another time, she awoke to find him in bed with her and touching her inappropriately.