Portales Predator Back in Court: Riker Faces Sex Offender Charges

ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Erich Deolax Riker, 44, of Portales, New Mexico, found himself back in federal court Friday, August 7, facing the music for allegedly flouting sex offender registration requirements. The indictment alleges a pattern of evasion, raising serious questions about public safety in Roosevelt County and beyond.

Court documents reveal Riker, who also went by the name Jamie Lee Wood, was previously convicted of criminal sexual offenses in Minnesota. The Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA) clearly mandates registration for individuals with such convictions. But Riker allegedly ignored that mandate, failing to comply with the law while establishing residency in New Mexico.

The unraveling began November 13, 2019, when New Mexico State Police arrested Riker during an unrelated criminal investigation. It quickly became apparent he hadn’t registered as a sex offender – a critical oversight that triggered the current federal prosecution. The period of non-compliance allegedly spanned from October 10, 2019, to his arrest, leaving a gap in crucial monitoring.

Following his 2019 arrest, Riker wasn’t held in New Mexico for long. He was shipped off to Eugene, Oregon, for violating the terms of his supervised release related to a separate federal conviction for – you guessed it – failure to register as a sex offender. After serving time, he was recently extradited back to New Mexico to answer for the latest charges, and will remain in custody pending trial.

If convicted, Riker is looking at a potential 10-year federal prison sentence. But an indictment is just that – an accusation. He’s presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and will have the opportunity to mount a defense. This case highlights the ongoing challenges of tracking and monitoring sex offenders, and the dedication of law enforcement to ensuring compliance.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Roswell office of the United States Marshal Service and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer M. Rozzoni is handling the prosecution, tasked with building a case and securing justice. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on any developments.