GRANTS, N.M. — Gregory Vaughn Santiago, the man who violently attacked an elderly woman last summer inside her Grants home, has been sentenced to nine years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life.
Santiago, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree criminal sexual penetration and three counts of tampering with evidence, according to the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. His sentence includes an indeterminate period of parole following incarceration and lifetime sex offender registration.
The conviction stems from an August 2024 case that sparked public outrage and an intense, community-assisted manhunt. In the early morning hours of August 12, Santiago broke into a home on the 1500 block of Donna Avenue by smashing a rear window with a rock. Once inside, he assaulted the resident—a woman in her 70s— before fleeing on foot.
The attack, described by law enforcement as “deeply disturbing,” drew swift action from the Grants Police Department and concern from the public. Residents submitted surveillance footage to authorities, showing Santiago lurking around homes in the hours before and after the assault. Several local women contacted the Cibola Citizen at the time to express fear, anger, and frustration about safety in their neighborhoods.
Santiago was arrested the next day after being found hiding in a shed near Mount Taylor Elementary School. His arrest ended a 24hour search that involved door-to-door inquiries, patrol sweeps, and multiple public safety bulletins. Lt. Joe Galindo credited the community with helping close the case quickly.
“The community's involvement was invaluable,” Galindo said at the time. “We received numerous tips and followed every lead.”
Following Santiago’s arrest, he was charged with criminal sexual penetration, aggravated burglary, and larceny. His plea deal, finalized this spring, resolves those charges with a combined sentence of nine years behind bars.
Jessica Martinez, Chief Deputy District Attorney, confirmed the sentencing in a statement this week.
“[Vaughn Santiago] will be on parole for an indeterminate period after his incarceration, and he will have to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life,” Martinez said. Court documents are available through the New Mexico Courts' secure online portal.