District of New Mexico
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Navajo man sentenced to two years in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Darrin Begay, 29, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced by a federal judge on July 27 to two years and three months in prison for assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country. Begay pleaded guilty on Dec. 16, 2020.
According to his plea agreement and other court records, Begay had been living in an inoperable car on the property of his girlfriend’s family in Shiprock, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Begay was not allowed in his girlfriend’s family’s home. The night of August 22, 2020, after arguing via text messages with his girlfriend, identified in court records as Jane Doe, Begay went to her bedroom window and threatened to break the window if she did not let him in. She relented and let him in through the window, but they argued because she did not want him there.
Jane Doe eventually fell asleep, but upon waking in the morning found that her necklace and other belongings were missing. An argument ensued and Begay pulled a pocketknife from his pocket and slashed her right leg. Jane Doe left the house, but Begay followed her, knocked her down and kicked her multiple times. Begay again threatened her with a pocketknife. Navajo Police arrived and arrested Begay at the scene. Jane Doe was transported to the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock where she was treated for her injuries.
Upon his release from prison, Begay will be subject to two years of supervised release.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander F. Flores prosecuted the case.
Previously convicted member of the Pueblo of Laguna pleads guilty to federal assault charges in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Joshua Mendez, 40, of New Laguna, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Laguna Pueblo, pleaded guilty on July 22 to two counts of an indictment charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and domestic assault by a habitual offender in Indian Country.
A grand jury returned an indictment against Mendez for these offenses on Sept. 10, 2020. According to his plea agreement, on March 20, 2020, Mendez assaulted his girlfriend, Jane Doe, at her residence in Cibola County, New Mexico, on the Pueblo of Laguna. When John Doe attempted to intervene, Mendez stabbed John Doe several times with a knife. As a result of Mendez’s attack, John Doe suffered serious injuries that required hospital treatment.
Mendez was previously convicted on two separate occasions in Pueblo Court in the Pueblo of Laguna for committing battery upon another victim, who was his girlfriend at the time, on Feb. 6 and Oct. 17 in 2017.
Mendez is currently in custody pending sentencing. He faces up to 15 years in prison.
The Laguna Division of the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Laguna Criminal Investigations Bureau. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas is prosecuting the case.
Navajo man charged with second-degree murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Isaiah Augustine Bob, 36, of Montezuma Creek, Utah, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared in federal court in Las Cruces, New Mexico, on July 27 for an initial appearance on an indictment charging him with second-degree murder in Indian Country.
According to the indictment, on Dec. 4, 2020, Bob killed a man in McKinley County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. Bob was arrested in Oklahoma and transported back to the District of New Mexico. He is currently in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 30. If convicted, Bob faces up to life in prison.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Novaline D. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
Man from Gallup pleads guilty to second-degree murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Darrell Desiderio, 44, of Gallup, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty on July 26 in federal court to second-degree murder in Indian Country. Desiderio will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
According to Desiderio’s plea agreement and other court records, on June 7, 2018, Desiderio and a co-defendant, Ervin Yazzie, conspired to kidnap a victim, identified as John Doe, and take the victim’s truck. Yazzie pleaded guilty on Feb. 3, 2020.
Yazzie admitted to luring the victim to Desiderio to assist Desiderio in acquiring a vehicle. Under the pretense that Desiderio “knew some women who would want to ‘party,’” Yazzie and the victim picked up Desiderio and drove north of Gallup to a remote area. Desiderio ordered the victim to pull over and pressed a knife to the victim’s throat. During a struggle for the keys to the vehicle, Desiderio stabbed the victim in the neck and continued to stab him. The victim died as a result of the wounds inflicted by Desiderio. The murder occurred in McKinley County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation.
By the terms of the plea agreement, Desiderio faces 20 to 30 years in prison.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department, Gallup Police Department, McKinley County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph M. Spindle is prosecuting the case.
Enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe sentenced to two years in federal prison for assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - William Monte Hosetosavit, 27, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, was sentenced in federal court on July 27 to two years and seven months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country.
Hosetosavit pleaded guilty on Nov. 7, 2019. According to the plea agreement, on April 5, 2019, Hosetosavit assaulted Jane Doe in Otero County, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Hosetosavit hit the victim in the face with his elbow causing prolonged disfigurement to her eye socket.
Upon completion of his sentence, Hosetosavit will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Mescalero Agency of the Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan prosecuted the case.
Two charged with transporting aliens resulting in deathRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexis Rebecca Lovato, 24, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, and Cristian Adan Mora-Hernandez, 22, of Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court on July 26 facing charges of transporting illegal aliens resulting in death. The defendants will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 29.
According to a criminal complaint, on July 22, the Otero County Sheriff’s Office and Tularosa Police Department responded to reports of a U-Haul Cargo truck transporting people in the cargo area. The Tularosa Police Chief located the U-Haul and made a traffic stop. During the stop, the Chief observed a passenger in the cab of the truck who appeared to be unresponsive and not breathing. That passenger was later pronounced deceased.
In addition to the passenger in the cab, seven more passengers were in the cargo area of the truck. The passengers were from Mexico and Ecuador and allegedly were in the United States illegally.
The complaint alleges that Lovato was driving the truck accompanied by Mora-Hernandez.
A complaint is only an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Lovato and Mora-Hernandez face up to life in prison.
Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the Otero County Sheriff’s Department, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, Tularosa Police Department, New Mexico State Police, U.S. Border Patrol, 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and the New Mexico Livestock Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Luke Rizzo Cascio is prosecuting this case.
Former New Mexico State Police officer convicted of distribution of marijuana and methamphetamineRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Daniel Capehart, 36, of Bloomfield, New Mexico, was convicted on July 22 by a federal jury of three counts of distribution of marijuana and methamphetamine, two of which occurred within 1,000 feet of a school and playground, in Farmington, New Mexico.
According to court records, on June 15, 2018, Capehart, then a patrol officer with the New Mexico State Police, conducted a traffic stop during which he came into contact with a 16-year old passenger identified as Jane Doe 1 in Farmington. Capehart requested Jane Doe 1’s phone number, email address and date of birth. Capehart then gave Jane Doe 1 a business card with his personal cell phone number. Approximately an hour after the traffic stop concluded, Capehart began texting Jane Doe 1.
On June 19, 2018, Jane Doe 1 reported the incident and text messages to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Law enforcement immediately launched an investigation into Capehart’s conduct. As part of this investigation, Jane Doe 1 allowed law enforcement to use her phone and pretend to be her in further communications with Capehart.
On June 20, 2018, Capehart offered to provide marijuana to Jane Doe 1, unaware he was communicating with law enforcement. In exchange, still believing he was communicating with a 16-year old girl, Capehart asked for “selfies” as payment. After Capehart instructed Jane Doe 1 on how to avoid being caught with marijuana and the two agreeing on a delivery point that was close to Jane Doe 1’s Farmington home, in the early morning hours of June 21, 2018, Capehart delivered marijuana to the agreed location.
Over the next two days, Capehart continued sending messages to whom he thought was Jane Doe 1. After Capehart asked to speak with the 16-year old, detectives had an undercover deputy speak with the defendant in three separate recorded phone calls. In those calls, Capehart continued to discuss marijuana believing he was speaking with a 16-year-old girl.
On June 23, 2018, Capehart again offered to provide marijuana to Jane Doe 1. Not realizing he was communicating with law enforcement, Capehart specified a location in Farmington that was within 1,000 feet of Farmington High School and Brookside Park playground. Capehart delivered the marijuana intended for the 16-year-old that same day.
Law enforcement also developed a confidential source (CS) who had prior dealings with Capehart and she agreed to cooperate. As part of the CS’s cooperation, she allowed law enforcement to use her phone to pretend to be the CS when communicating with Capehart. In those messages, Capehart devised a plan in which the CS would tell him when she was driving with someone who had methamphetamine. Capehart would conduct a traffic stop of the friend’s vehicle, locate the methamphetamine, and provide a portion of the methamphetamine to the CS in exchange for sex. Capehart was unaware that he was communicating this plan to law enforcement and that the CS’s friend would be an undercover agent.
On June 28, 2018, Capehart executed the plan and conducted the traffic stop. Capehart arrested the undercover agent and located the methamphetamine in the undercover agent’s pocket. After booking the undercover agent in jail, in the early morning hours of June 29, 2018, Capehart drove to a park located by the CS’s home in Bloomfield. Capehart then delivered more than five grams of methamphetamine by bathrooms in the park, which was also located within 1,000 feet of Central Primary Elementary School. Capehart was arrested later that day.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled. Capehart faces a mandatory minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison on the methamphetamine count.
The FBI, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Region II Narcotics Task Force, and Farmington Police Department investigated this case. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.
The HIDTA Region II Narcotics Task Force is comprised of officers and investigators from the Farmington Police Department, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Bloomfield Police Department and Aztec Police Department, and is part of the HIDTA program created by Congress with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. HIDTA is a program of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) which provides assistance to federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States and seeks to reduce drug trafficking and production by facilitating coordinated law enforcement activities and information sharing.
Man from Las Cruces sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for attempting to enticement a child into sexRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Ismael Valdez, 38, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was sentenced on July 19 in federal court to 12 years in prison for attempted coercion and enticement.
Valdez pleaded guilty to these charges on Aug. 27, 2020. According to his plea agreement, between April 29, 2020, and May 29, 2020, Valdez met and messaged an undercover law enforcement officer posing as a 13-year-old girl on a social networking application. During the conversations, Valdez sent sexually explicit material to the “the child” and asked her to send sexually explicit material to him. Valdez arranged to meet with the child to have sex and traveled from his home in Las Cruces to a meeting location where law enforcement agents arrested him.
Upon completion of his prison sentence, Valdez will be subject to 10 years of supervised release.
The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Mark Saltman prosecuted the case.
Former Kirtland airman sentenced to prison on federal firearms chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Charles Brent Justice, 28, was sentenced on July 16 in federal court to one year and eight months in prison for smuggling goods into the United States, unlawful importation of a firearm and possession of a firearm not registered with the National Firearms Act Registration and Transfer Record. Brent pleaded guilty on Feb. 24.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Feb. 7, 2020, while stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, Justice imported a silencer, which was deceptively described as an “inline filter,” knowing that the silencer was illegal. Justice also admitted to possessing functional silencers that he knew were not registered under the National Firearms Act.
As alleged in a criminal complaint, Justice purchased the firearm silencer over the internet from China. Agents from U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted the device while in transit through the mail. Justice did not have the required tax stamp or proper authority to possess and transport weapons under the National Firearms Act. Justice also previously received shipments of other illegal devices, including a “butt-stock” designed to convert a pistol into a short-barreled rifle and an “auto-sear” designed to allow a pistol to function as a machine gun.
Upon his release from prison, Justice will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives investigated this case with the Department of the Air Force, Office of Special Investigations and Homeland Security Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jon K. Stanford and Nicholas Mote prosecuted the case.
Christus St. Vincent Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, reaches settlement for fraudulent health care billingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Christus St. Vincent Hospital (CSV) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and the United States have settled claims that a physician employed by the hospital caused fraudulent claims for payment to be submitted to federal healthcare programs over a span of seven years.
In early 2020, the hospital self-disclosed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office concerns about the billing practices of Dr. Arthur Caire, an employee of the hospital. “Health care providers play an essential role in rooting out and preventing fraud,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Fred Federici. “We acknowledge and appreciate the hospital’s decision to come forward and cooperate with our investigation.”
Following an investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and with the cooperation of the hospital, the government concluded that the hospital billed government healthcare payors for services Dr. Caire did not provide or properly supervise. The hospital agreed to pay the United States $563,809.52 to resolve the government’s allegations. The settlement covers Dr. Caire’s entire period of employment at the hospital, which spanned from October 2013 until April 2020, and reimburses multiple federal healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE and the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program.
The United States Government expends more than $1 trillion dollars annually to provide health care to the beneficiaries of federal healthcare programs. In Fiscal Year 2019 alone, the federal government recovered more than $3.6 billion dollars attributable to healthcare fraud judgments and settlements.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Cunniff and Auditor Julie Chappell represented the United States in this matter.
Artesia Couple charged in connection to bank robberyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Roman Andrew Poulsen, 39, and Lori Crapo, 40, both of Artesia, New Mexico, appeared in federal court on July 16 on charges for their respective roles in a July 15 bank robbery. Poulsen faces a charge of bank robbery while Crapo is accused of being an accessory after the fact. The defendants will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 22.
According to a criminal complaint, on July 15, Poulsen allegedly entered a Washington Federal Bank in Artesia with his face concealed by a mask, dark glasses and a hood. Poulsen allegedly handed a demand note to a teller, then fled the bank after the teller complied. Poulsen, a regular customer at the bank, was identified by his distinct walk and mannerisms.
Poulsen then allegedly went to a local motel where he had been residing with Crapo. The complaint alleges that Poulsen was observed placing objects into a dumpster and setting them on fire, then returning with a fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Poulsen and Crapo then allegedly hastily packed some of their belongings into their vehicle and left.
Law enforcement located the subjects’ vehicle at a country market and took Poulsen and Crapo into custody. Investigators were able to recover some of the money, which Crapo allegedly attempted to stash behind goods on a store shelf.
A complaint is only an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Poulsen faces up to 20 years in prison and Crapo faces up to 10 years.
The Roswell Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Artesia Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy M. Castellano is prosecuting this case.
# # #
Albuquerque couple sentenced to federal prison in Ayudando Guardians caseRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Susan K. Harris, 74, and William S. Harris, 60, both of Albuquerque, were sentenced today in federal court for conspiracy to defraud the United States and other financial crimes committed in connection with the operation of Ayudando Guardians, Inc., a non-profit corporation that previously provided guardianship, conservatorship and financial management to hundreds of people with special needs.
Susan Harris was sentenced to 47 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. William Harris was sentenced to 15 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Both will be required to pay the entire amount of stolen funds as restitution to the victims.
A superseding indictment filed on Dec. 5, 2017, charged Susan Harris, William Harris, Sharon A. Moore, 64, and Susan Harris’ son, Craig M. Young, 53, with various financial crimes, including conspiracy to defraud the United States, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.
Susan Harris pleaded guilty on July 11, 2019, to conspiracy, mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering. William Harris pleaded guilty on June 25, 2019, to conspiracy to defraud the United States and to commit money laundering. Both Susan Harris and William Harris were originally scheduled to be sentenced on March 2, 2020, but failed to appear for their sentencing hearing. A bench warrant was issued for their arrest and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested them in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on April 15, 2020, after they fled New Mexico.
According to their plea agreements and other court records, Susan Harris acted as president and was the 95-percent owner of Ayudando, while Moore acted as chief financial officer and was a five-percent owner. They engaged in a pattern of criminal conduct from November 2006 to July 2017 that included unlawfully transferring money from client accounts to a comingled account without any client-based justification. They wrote and endorsed numerous checks, often of more than $10,000, from these comingled accounts to themselves, family members, cash and other parties where payment would benefit their families.
Susan Harris took steps to maintain Ayudando’s appearance of legitimacy, including submitting a proposal to the New Mexico Office of Guardianship that contained numerous false representations, including a false claim that Young was a nationally certified guardian at the time of the submission.
William Harris, who worked as a guardian, admitted that he knew that Moore was siphoning payments to clients from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security Administration and using the money to benefit herself, Harris, and their co-conspirators. Harris specifically admitted receiving, endorsing, and depositing dozens of checks drawn on Ayudando accounts for his own personal benefit. Harris admitted to his involvement in a money laundering scheme, using an Ayudando corporate credit card for personal expenses, knowing that it would be paid for with client money. He also admitted his role in a loan application for the stated purpose of expanding the Ayudando business with the actual intent of using the money to “pay back” clients whose money had been taken without authorization.
The stolen funds were used to fund an extravagant lifestyle, including the purchases of homes, vehicles, luxury RVs and cruises, as well as a private box at “the Pit” at the University of New Mexico. The stolen funds were also used to pay for more than $4.4 million in American Express charges incurred by the defendants and their families.
“The sentences that the defendants have received today are just, and the defendants are fully deserving of them,” said Fred J. Federici, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico. “The defendants’ conduct in preying upon individuals with special needs, who they were entrusted to protect, was both loathsome and contemptible. We hope that these sentences serve as a warning to others that we will seek to hold accountable anyone who chooses to violate federal law by abusing any similar position of trust for personal enrichment.”
“Taking advantage of disabled veterans and other vulnerable Americans deserves a harsh penalty, especially when those entrusted with their finances instead use the money for vacations and other expensive perks,” said Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. “The FBI will never stop trying to hold such criminals accountable and making sure their victims get justice.”
“This final phase of the investigation will hopefully give some closure to the many victims who have suffered as a result of the selfish acts of the defendants,” said Sonya K. Chavez, United States Marshal for the District of New Mexico. “We at the United States Marshals Service will continue to work diligently with our partners to protect the citizens of New Mexico, particularly those who are most vulnerable.”
“The criminal actions by these defendants were truly brazen and egregious,” stated IRS - Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Albert Childress. “Instead of helping people who placed their trust in them, the defendants were greedy and helped themselves to their clients’ money. They must now pay the consequences for their bad deeds.”
“Today's sentencing reflects the egregious crimes committed by the defendants, who not only violated the public’s trust but also the trust of a vulnerable population who relied upon them to manage their benefits. We will continue to join our law enforcement partners in investigating organizations and individuals who misuse Social Security benefits that they agreed to manage on behalf of beneficiaries,” said Adam Schneider, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, Dallas Field Division. “I thank our law enforcement partners for their outstanding investigative work and the District of New Mexico U.S. Attorney’s Office for their efforts in bringing these individuals to justice.”
“Criminal acts by would-be fiduciaries are most heinous because they violate veterans’ trust and put in jeopardy the benefits on which they are dependent,” said Special Agent in Charge Rebeccalynn Staples, Veterans Affairs, Office of Inspector General. “This sentence should send a clear message that the VA OIG will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to ferret out those who would defraud VA and steal the benefits of deserving veterans.”
Young pleaded guilty on Nov. 12, 2019, and was sentenced on June 11, 2020, to five years and 11 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Young was ordered to pay approximately $6.8 million in restitution to the victims of the fraud scheme.
Moore pleaded guilty on July 11, 2019, and was sentenced on March 2, 2020, to 20 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Moore was ordered to pay the entire amount of stolen funds as restitution to the victims.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI and the Phoenix Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Complex Assets Unit and the U.S. Marshals Service, the Criminal Investigations Division of the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, and the Dallas Field Division of the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeremy Peña and Brandon L. Fyffe prosecuted the case.
# # #
Lovington man sentenced to four years in prison for federal firearms violationsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Cody Little, 43, of Lovington, New Mexico, was sentenced on July 6 in federal court to four years and nine months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possessing a stolen firearm. Little pleaded guilty on Nov. 4, 2020.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Jan. 25, 2020, Lovington Police officers arrested Little, who had three active arrest warrants at the time. Officers found a 9mm ammunition magazine in Little’s pocket and located a 9mm handgun in the immediate area. Little had stolen the firearm from a nearby residence on Jan. 15, 2020, and could be seen on footage from a doorbell camera as he removed the firearm from a vehicle in the driveway and fled on foot.
In 2013, Little pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition after previously having been convicted of burglary and larceny and battery upon a peace officer. As a previously convicted felon, Little cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
Upon his release from prison, Little will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Lovington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Segovia and Aaron Jordan prosecuted the case.
# # #
Pinedale woman charged in knife attack in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Valerie Arthur, 35, of Pinedale, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, appeared at a preliminary hearing today in federal court where she was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. Arthur will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 13.
According to a criminal complaint, on July 4, at least twice Arthur allegedly approached and was asked to leave a neighboring house where a family was cooking outside. Arthur allegedly returned to the house armed with a knife and on the front porch stabbed a victim in the neck and arm. Arthur then allegedly pursued another victim inside the home and stabbed her in the neck, back and face. When the second victim’s 10-year old son and eight-year old daughter attempted to defend their mother, Arthur allegedly stabbed the children as well.
All of the victims were taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for treatment.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Arthur faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Gallup Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Novaline Wilson is prosecuting this case.
Former middle school health aide charged with possession and distribution of child pornographyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Aaron Leon Happy, 40, of Shiprock, New Mexico, was arraigned in federal court on July 8 on an indictment charging him with possession of child pornography, distribution of child pornography, and transfer of obscene materials to minors.
According to the indictment and other court records, Happy allegedly committed these offenses while employed as a Health Aide with the Central Consolidated School District in Newcomb, New Mexico. On Dec. 15, 2020, the FBI executed a search warrant on Happy’s person, office, and residence. Investigators allegedly found child pornography on one of Happy’s cellular telephones. The investigation revealed that Happy allegedly distributed adult pornography to a student at the middle school and child pornography to another individual using the Facebook messenger application.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Happy faces up to 20 years in prison.
The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the FBI Albuquerque’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the FBI Gallup Resident Agency, the FBI Denver - Durango Resident Agency, the San Juan County (New Mexico) Sheriff’s Office, the Cortez (Colorado) Police Department and the Montezuma County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Aliberti is prosecuting the case.
Man from Los Lunas pleads guilty to federal firearm and ammunition chargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Santos Duran, 23, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 23 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
A federal grand jury indicted Duran on June 24, 2020. According to his plea agreement, on May 20, 2020, Duran fled from law enforcement after officers attempted to execute a traffic stop in Albuquerque. Duran then drove his vehicle to Valencia County, New Mexico, where he abandoned the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot. While running away from law enforcement, Duran attempted to get rid of a bag containing a loaded firearm and a high-capacity magazine.
As a previously convicted felon, Duran cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition. By the terms of the plea agreement, Duran faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI, New Mexico State Police and Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaymie L. Roybal and Sarah J. Mease are prosecuting the case.
Man from Albuquerque sentenced to three years in federal prison for communication threatsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –Michael Nissen, 66, of Albuquerque, was sentenced on June 18 in federal court to three years and five months in prison for threatening to harm another in an interstate communication.
On Aug. 7, 2019, a federal jury returned a verdict of guilty against Nissen on two counts of interstate communication containing threat to injure the person of another. According to public court records, on Nov. 2, 2018, Nissen was pulled over by New Mexico State Police (NMSP) and issued multiple citations in Torrance County, New Mexico. That evening, Nissen called NMSP dispatch and threatened to the kill the police officer who pulled him over. In November 2018, Nissen called and emailed NMSP Internal Affairs to complain about the police officer and again threatened to shoot the officer. On Dec. 13, 2018, Nissen called the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office to complain about the NMSP officer and stated he owned multiple firearms to protect himself from “rogue state cops.”
Upon his release from prison, Nissen will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The FBI and New Mexico State Police investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and Alexander M. Uballez prosecuted the case.
Artesia man charged with illegal possession of firearms and child pornographyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Trevor Wright, 50, of Artesia, New Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court today facing charges of possession of child pornography and being a drug addict in possession of firearms. Wright will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 7.
According to a criminal complaint, on June 25, the FBI executed a search warrant on Wright’s residence in Artesia. Investigators allegedly found child pornography on one of Wright’s cellular telephones. They also located 15 firearms allegedly in Wright’s possession within the residence. As a drug addict, Wright cannot legally possess a firearm.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Wright faces up to 20 years in prison.
The FBI Albuquerque’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Artesia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jaymie L. Roybal and Sarah Mease are prosecuting this case.
Navajo man sentenced to 30 years in prison for 2017 murder of tribal police officerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Kirby Cleveland, 37, of Prewitt New Mexico, and an enrolled member of Navajo Nation, was sentenced on June 28 in federal court to 30 years in prison for second-degree murder for killing Houston James Largo, a tribal police officer for the Navajo Nation. Cleveland pleaded guilty on Dec. 12, 2019.
In his plea, Cleveland admitted to killing Largo with callous and wanton disregard for human life on March 11, 2017, in McKinley County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. According to court records, Cleveland became drunk and angry while at home with his children and his common law wife, who called the police. When Officer Largo responded to the home, Cleveland shot Officer Largo in the head, killing him. Cleveland then fled the scene. State, local, and tribal law enforcement conducted a large-scale search for Cleveland and located him the next morning hiding under a rock about a mile and a half away.
“Kirby Cleveland’s murder of Officer Houston Largo was a cowardly, hateful act,” said Fred J. Federici, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico. “But the response of law enforcement upon learning that Officer Largo had been senselessly killed while he was bravely serving the people of the Navajo Nation and New Mexico, exemplifies the concern that all law enforcement officers in our state have for those who risk their lives while protecting the public. Within minutes of learning of the shooting, dozens of officers from different departments converged on the tragic scene to look for the killer. Officer Largo’s service and sacrifice in the line of duty were exemplary, and the public should know that law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will spare no resource in the investigation and prosecution of anyone who takes the life of an officer in New Mexico.”
“All too often, law enforcement officers are called upon to sacrifice their lives to protect their communities,” said Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. “While the loss of Houston James Largo is a tragedy that affects us all, his courage and devotion to duty should be an inspiration to everyone who wears the badge. The FBI hopes this lengthy prison sentence will provide some measure of justice and peace for Officer Largo's family and co-workers.”
“Officer Largo will always be remembered as a frontline warrior who devoted his life to serving and protecting our Navajo people,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “Our prayers are with his family, his fellow officers and his community as they continue on the path of healing. I appreciate the support and commitment of Police Chief Francisco, Mr. Delmar and Council Delegate Edmund Yazzie for Officer Largo’s family and all of our Navajo Police Officers. We will continue to pray for strength, comfort and healing for the Largo family.”
“Officer Houston James Largo was an outstanding officer who went above and beyond his duty to help our community and the people we serve, said Navajo Chief of Police Philip Francisco. “Houston was young and ambitious and I have no doubt he would have become a great leader within our department. It is heartbreaking to think of how young he was and all that he could have done but we will keep his memory alive and remember his courage, his character, and the light he brought to the Navajo Police Department.”
“Justice was administered to its extent according to the guidelines provided to the court,” said Jesse Delmar, Director of the Navajo Division of Public Safety. “We appreciate all those who were instrumental in bringing justice for Houston and his family. Officer Largo was a young man who had the potential to become one of the best for this department and the Navajo Nation, and it is painful to know he was taken at such a young age. He had so much to offer as an officer, and it is just unfortunate this happened to our people. We will continue to stand with Houston's family in prayers and comfort.”
Cleveland also pleaded guilty to violating the terms of his supervised release from a previous assault conviction involving an attack on a woman with a baseball bat. Cleveland failed to abstain from alcohol and complete a residential reentry program as ordered by the court.
Upon his release from prison, Cleveland will be subject to four years of supervised release.
The FBI and the Crownpoint, Shiprock and Chinle offices of the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police, McKinley County Sheriff’s Office, the Albuquerque Police Department and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph M. Spindle and Jeremy Peña prosecuted the case.
Colorado woman faces bank robbery charges in AlbuquerqueRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Keylee Rose Moore, 21, of Hesperus, Colorado, made an initial appearance on June 28 in federal court facing a charge of bank robbery. Moore will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 30.
According to a criminal complaint, on June 1, Moore allegedly entered a bank on Louisiana Avenue in Albuquerque and handed a demand note to a teller. After the teller handed money to Moore, Moore allegedly walked out of the bank and fled. On June 6, the FBI received a tip identifying Moore as the person who allegedly robbed the bank. Moore was arrested at her residence in Hesperus on June 17.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Moore faces up to 20 years in prison.
The FBI Albuquerque Division and the FBI Denver Division’s Durango Resident Agency are investigating this case with the assistance of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Southwest Drug Task Force, the La Plata County Sheriff’s Department and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting this case.
Two men indicted on tax fraud and operating an unlicensed money transmitting businessRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – David Wellington, 62, of Albuquerque, and Jerry Shrock, 46, of Meadowview, Virginia, were indicted on June 23 by a federal grand jury charging them with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Wellington faces an additional count of operation of an unlicensed money transmitting business. Shrock is scheduled for an arraignment on July 15, while Wellington is scheduled to make an initial appearance on July 7.
According to the indictment, since at least 2005, Wellington and his business partner operated National Business Services, which promoted, sold and created Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) under New Mexico State Law. For many clients, National Business Services allegedly would open bank accounts under the names and IRS employer identification numbers (EIDs) of the LLCs, and the clients – whose names were not associated with the bank accounts - would have access to the funds in those accounts.
Since at least 2006, Shrock was a client of Wellington and National Business Services. Through National Business Services, Wellington allegedly created multiple LLCs in New Mexico for Shrock, including White Top Enterprise LLC. National Business Services allegedly opened a bank account in the business name and EID of White Top Enterprise and provided Shrock with access to the funds in the account. Between May 9, 2011, and June 30, 2015, Shrock allegedly deposited and withdrew approximately $4,875,940, of which at least $4,347,101 was income for which Shrock never filed a personal or business tax return with the IRS.
At the time of the deposits and withdrawals, Shrock was subject to an outstanding IRS lien for unpaid taxes, penalties and interest in the amount of approximately $1 million. Because it was not in his name, using the White Top Enterprise account allegedly allowed Shrock to generate and access income while evading both the outstanding assessment and personal and business income taxes.
An indictment is only an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Shrock faces up to five years in prison and Wellington faces up to 10 years in prison.
IRS Criminal Investigation investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Peña is prosecuting the case.
Nambe Pueblo man sentenced to seven years in prison for aggravated sexual abuse in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Rain Concha, 23, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of Nambe Pueblo, was sentenced on June 14 in federal court to seven years in prison for aggravated sexual abuse in Indian Country. Concha pleaded guilty on June 15, 2020.
According to the plea agreement, on Aug. 23, 2015, Concha picked up the victim, who was 14 years old at the time, for a ride. Concha took the victim to the parking lot of the Pojoaque Pueblo Poeh Museum where he sexually abused her. An exam revealed injuries to the victim that were consistent with sexual abuse. The crime occurred on the Pueblo of Pojoaque in Santa Fe County, New Mexico.
Upon his release from prison, Concha will be subject to five years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Pojoaque Police Department and the FBI. Assistant U.S. Allison Jaros prosecuted the case.
Navajo man sentenced to three years and 10 months in prison for assault in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Matthew Ramone, 32, of the Thoreau, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, was sentenced on June 14 in federal court to three years and 10 months in prison for assaulting two victims resulting in serious bodily injury. Ramone pleaded guilty on January 21, 2020.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on Oct. 16, 2019, Ramone struck John Doe in the head with a three-foot metal bar, causing him to fall to the ground. Ramone continued hitting the victim as he lay on the ground. Ramone’s attack caused serious injuries to John Doe, including a depressed skull fracture, bleeding in the brain, multiple rib fractures and a broken scapula.
As Ramone continued to beat John Doe, a second victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe, attempted to protect John Doe by laying atop him. Ramone continued swinging the metal bar, hitting Jane Doe, causing her serious injuries including a left elbow fracture and cutting her scalp. Both victims were taken to Gallup Indian Medical Center for treatment, and John Doe’s injuries were so severe he was flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital for emergency care.
The assaults occurred outside John Doe’s residence on the Navajo Nation in McKinley County, New Mexico.
Upon his release from prison, Ramone will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Gallup Resident Office of the FBI and the Crownpoint Office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison Jaros prosecuted the case.
Man from Albuquerque sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for attempted robberyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M – Israfil Madriaga, 23, of Albuquerque, was sentenced on June 16 in federal court to 15 years and nine months in prison for attempted interference with commerce by robbery and violence, using, carrying and discharging a firearm in furtherance during and in relation to a crime of violence and possessing a firearm in furtherance of such crime.
Madriaga pleaded guilty to these offenses on June 12, 2019. According to the plea agreement and other court documents, on or about Oct. 6, 2017, Madriaga entered a Chervon gas station in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, armed with the intent of robbing it. Madriaga pointed his firearm at an employee and demanded money from the cash register. In fear for his life, the victim lunged at Madriaga in an attempt to take away the firearm, and Madriaga shot the victim. Madriaga then pointed his weapon at the victim and ordered him to open the cash register. The victim, who lay seriously injured and bleeding on the floor, was unable to open the register. After failing to open the cash register himself, Madriaga fled the gas station. The victim required immediate surgery and was hospitalized for 21 days due to the gunshot injury inflicted by Madriaga.
Upon his release from prison, Madriaga will subject to three years of supervised release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, FBI, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department and Rio Rancho Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Eva M. Fontanez and Niki Tapia-Brito prosecuted the case.
Española man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Douglas Smith, 71, of Española, New Mexico, was convicted today by a federal jury of involuntary manslaughter in Indian Country. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to a criminal complaint and other court records, in the early morning hours of May 5, 2018, Smith shot a woman he believed was trying to break into his mother’s camper trailer. Smith walked outside his residence to investigate a motion sensor alarm, armed with a .22 caliber handgun. When he saw someone at the door of the camper trailer, he fired multiple rounds, one of which struck the victim in the upper left temple, killing her. No weapons or burglary tools were located near the victim.
The incident occurred on the Santa Clara Pueblo and the victim was an enrolled member of the Santa Clara Pueblo. Smith is non-Indian. Smith faces up to eight years in prison.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Novaline Wilson and Kyle Nayback are prosecuting the case.
# # #
Members of Albuquerque drug trafficking organization charged with possessing, trafficking methamphetamine and fentanylRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – John Seibel, 25, Robert Pettit, 51, and Barbara Dockery, 64, all of Albuquerque, appeared in federal court today for their parts in a drug trafficking organization run by Seibel (the Seibel DTO). Detention hearings for each defendant are scheduled for June 21.
On June 9, a federal grand jury indicted Seibel and Pettit on one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distribution of 50 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, two counts of distribution of 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, and four counts of distribution of 40 grams and more of fentanyl.
Dockery is charged in a criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine.
The defendants were arrested on June 15 in a joint law enforcement operation led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). A DEA Task Force executed warrants at five locations in Albuquerque, including the residences of Seibel, Pettit, and Dockery. In Dockery’s residence, law enforcement located approximately 3,838.3 gross grams of fentanyl and 924.2 gross grams of methamphetamine allegedly belonging to the Seibel DTO.
The indictment alleges that from March 26 to June 9, Seibel, Pettit and others conspired to traffic large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl. According to court records, Seibel, assisted by his co-conspirators included Pettit and Dockery, allegedly sold “blues,” which are counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl, as well as fentanyl pills manufactured in Albuquerque using a pill press machine.
“For some time we’ve known the damage methamphetamine trafficking has caused to our communities, and we are now seeing the devastation caused by counterfeit fentanyl pills, which sadly includes overdose deaths,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Fred J. Federici. “Prosecution of those who manufacture and distribute these illicit and dangerous narcotics is and must remain a top priority for the District of New Mexico.”
“The drug trafficking organizations that produce and distribute these potentially-lethal counterfeit pills containing fentanyl care only about one thing: maximizing profits,” said Kyle W. Williamson, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s El Paso Division. “DEA will continue to disrupt and dismantle these DTOs to break the wave of fentanyl flooding and endangering our communities.”
Indictments and complaints are only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Seibel, Pettit and Dockery face a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
Among the agencies that participated in the investigation were the DEA Albuquerque District Office, DEA El Paso Division, DEA El Paso Division SRT, DEA Las Cruces District Office, DEA St. Louis Division, DEA South Central Laboratory, DEA Aviation, FBI Albuquerque Field Office, United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department, Pueblo of Laguna Police Department, Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department, Valencia County Sheriff’s Office, Rio Rancho Police Department, Torrance County Sheriff’s Office, Belen Police Department and Albuquerque Fire & Rescue.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting this case.
Man from La Union charged with being a felon in possession of ammunitionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jose Alfredo Morales, 30, of La Union, New Mexico, was charged today in federal court with being a felon in possession of ammunition. Morales will remain in custody pending trial.
According to a criminal complaint, on May 15 officers from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office responded to a reported assault involving strangulation at a residence in La Union. The officers obtained a warrant to search the residence in which they allegedly found multiple rounds of ammunition.
On May 19, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives obtained a federal search warrant for the home, of which Morales is the sole resident, and allegedly located multiple rounds of ammunition.
Morales has prior felony convictions, including for shooting at or from a motor vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and battery upon a peace officer. As a convicted felon, Morales cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Morales faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Marisa A. Ong is prosecuting the case.
Jose Torrez sentenced to 17 years in federal prison on two separate cases involving conspiracy to kidnap, stolen mail and bank fraud schemeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Jose Torrez, 48, of Albuquerque, was sentenced on June 10 in federal court to 17 consecutive years in prison on two separate cases. Upon his release from prison, he will be subject to a combined term of five years of supervised release.
In one case, Torrez pleaded guilty on Feb. 13, 2020, to conspiracy to kidnap. According to the defendants’ plea agreements, Torrez, Chase Smothermon, 32, and Mariah Ferry, 22, along with other co-conspirators took part in a scheme to retaliate against two victims who they believed stole marijuana and money from Smothermon’s home where he resided with Ferry. On Aug. 5, Smothermon called Torrez and told him his someone had stolen marijuana and money from his home. Torrez told Smothermon he believed the victims, J.S. and M.T., were responsible for taking the drugs and money. On Aug. 8, 2017, Torrez alerted Smothermon that J.S. was present at Torrez’s home. Smothermon went to Torrez’s home to retaliate against J.S. and try to get his drugs and money back. Ferry drove Smothermon to Torrez’s home where Smothermon and co-conspirators brutally beat J.S. with a baseball bat and the butt of a gun.
Smothermon and co-conspirators then put J.S. in the trunk of Ferry’s car and bound J.S.’s hands, ankles, and mouth with tape. Ferry drove Smothermon and J.S. to another co-conspirator’s home where J.S. died shortly thereafter. Ferry and Smothermon then mutilated J.S.’s body in a shed. Later the same day, Smothermon contacted M.T. under a ruse that Smothermon wanted to buy marijuana from M.T. When M.T. arrived at Smothermon’s home, Smothermon, Ferry and others bound, gagged and assaulted M.T. for hours. After several hours, two other co-conspirators escorted a bound and badly beaten M.T. out of Smothermon’s home and drove him to another location where M.T. was held overnight before M.T. was released. On Aug. 9, 2017, Ferry drove Smothermon and another co-conspirator to a rural area in New Mexico where they buried J.S.’s body in a shallow grave.
Ferry pleaded guilty on Feb. 13, 2020, to kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap, resulting in the death of J.S. She was sentenced to 30 years in prison on June 26, 2020.
Smothermon pleaded guilty on Jan. 24, 2020, to kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap, resulting in the death of J.S. He was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Aug. 28, 2020.
For this case, Torrez was sentenced to 14 years in prison. The DEA and FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department and Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. The Narcotics section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.
In the other case, Torrez pleaded guilty on July 19, 2019, to conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and possession of solen mail. According to the plea agreement, Torrez participated in a scheme with his wife and co-defendant, Christina Torrez, 46, to steal mail containing credit cards, debit cards, checks and personal information that could be used to commit more theft. Torrez and his wife accessed bank accounts using stolen identities and withdrew money from the accounts. They used stolen credit and debit cards to buy merchandise from various stores totaling more than $10,000. They also cashed checks from multiple banks and credit unions using false identification. During the scheme, Torrez and his wife obtained United States Postal Service uniforms, badges and keys to assist them in stealing mail.
Christina Torrez pleaded guilty to conspiracy, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and possession of stolen mail on July 19, 2019. On Jan. 30, 2020, she was sentenced to three years and three months in prison.
For this case, Torrez was sentenced to three years in prison to run consecutively with the 14-year sentence for the kidnapping case for a total of 17 years. The United States Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department, the Sandia Tribal Police and the Laguna Pueblo Police Department. Assistant U.S Attorney Kimberly A. Brawley prosecuted the case.
Jicarilla man sentenced to two years in prison for assaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Ronnie Tiznado, 47, of Dulce, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Tribe, was sentenced on June 14 in federal court to two years in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. Tiznado pleaded guilty on Feb. 27, 2020.
According to his plea agreement, Tiznado assaulted the victim on June 2, 2019, in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico, on the Jicarilla Apache Reservation. Tiznado admitted to throwing the victim to the ground and hitting her with his fists. The victim suffered serious bodily injuries as a result of the assault.
Upon his release from prison, Tiznado will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Jicarilla Apache Police Department. Assistant U.S Attorney Frederick T. Mendenhall is prosecuting the case.
Portales man sentenced for failure to update sex offender registrationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Erich Deolax Riker, 44, of Portales, New Mexico, was sentenced today in federal court to seven years and three months in prison for failing to update his sex offender registration.
On Sept. 22, 2020, Riker pleaded guilty to an indictment charging him with this offense. According to the indictment and other court records, Riker, under the name of Jamie Lee Wood, was previously convicted of three separate criminal sexual offenses in Minnesota.
While living in Portales, New Mexico, Riker was arrested by the New Mexico State Police on Nov. 13, 2019, in the course of an unrelated criminal investigation. Riker had failed to register as a sex offender in Roosevelt County, New Mexico between Oct. 10, 2019, and Nov. 13, 2019. He also had previously failed to register as a sex offender in Oregon and Minnesota.
Upon his release from prison, Riker will be subject to five years of supervised release and a lifetime of sex offender registration pursuant to the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act upon his release.
The Roswell office of the United States Marshal Service investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. The Criminal Division of the Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico prosecuted the case.
Man from Albuquerque sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for multiple armed robberiesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Shakeam Kinney, 32, of Albuquerque, was sentenced in federal court on June 10 to 22 years and five months in prison for interference with interstate commerce by robbery and violence, possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime and being a felon in possession of firearm and ammunition. Kinney pleaded guilty on Feb. 7, 2020.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on March 19, 2018, Kinney and his accomplice, Lalonzo Simmons, 46, entered an Albuquerque business through the back of the store armed with firearms when they encountered two employees. Kinney demanded the phone of one of the employees, and when the employee initially did not give Kinney the phone Kinney discharged his weapon. Shortly after, Kinney and Simmons fled the store after taking the money from the register.
On Apr. 3, 2018, Kinney and Simmons robbed an Albuquerque marijuana dispensary at gunpoint and fled the store with stolen money and large amounts of marijuana. On May 1, 2018, Kinney and Simmons, robbed another Albuquerque dispensary at gunpoint. Kinney entered the business and discharged his weapon into the ceiling, demanding money and merchandise and threating an employee. Kinney and Simmons fled the store with stolen money and marijuana. Soon after, Kinney was arrested by law enforcement at his apartment.
On Dec. 26, 2019, Simmons pleaded guilty to interference with interstate commerce by robbery and violence, possessing and discharging a firearm in furtherance of a crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Simmons is currently in custody awaiting sentencing, which has not been scheduled yet.
Upon his release from prison, Kinney will be subject to five years of supervised release.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy D. Trembley prosecuted the case.
Mescalero man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of a childRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – James Darius Caje, 27, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, pleaded guilty on June 10 in federal court to sexual abuse of a minor. Caje will remain in custody pending sentencing.
According to the plea agreement and other court records, on the night of Feb. 24 or early morning Feb. 25, 2020, Caje allegedly entered the bedroom of the victim, who was 14-years old, and sexually assaulted her. The following day, the victim reported the assault to a school counsellor, who then reported it to law enforcement. The assault occurred on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.
By the terms of the plea agreement, Caje faces 10 years in prison.
The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan is prosecuting the case.
Member of Mescalero Apache Tribe sentenced to nine years in federal prison for voluntary manslaughterRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mundo Barela, 19, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, was sentenced in federal court on June 8 to nine years in prison for voluntary manslaughter in Indian Country.
Barela pleaded guilty on Jan. 6. According to his plea agreement, on or about July 20, 2020, Barela unlawfully killed John Doe in the heat of passion during a sudden altercation in Otero County, New Mexico. Barela stabbed the victim in the throat, chest and stomach during the incident causing fatal injuries to John Doe. The incident took place on the Mescalero Apache Reservation.
Upon his release from prison, Barela will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan prosecuted the case.
Albuquerque couple charged with federal firearms violationsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – David “Flaco” Chavez, 43, and Ednamay De La Rosa, 38, both of Albuquerque, have been charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition. At a hearing on June 7, Chavez was ordered detained pending trial. De La Rosa made an initial appearance in court on June 10 and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for June 14.
According to a criminal complaint, on June 2 agents with the FBI’s Albuquerque Violent Crime Gang Task Force (VCGTF), detectives with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Albuquerque Police Department executed federal search warrants on Chavez’s and De La Rosa’s residences. Ammunition allegedly was located by agents during the search of Chavez’s residence. Among the items allegedly located by agents during the search of De La Rosa’s residence were four firearms and various types of ammunition as well as a suppressor and a 50-round drum magazine.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Chavez was serving a term of supervised release for a 2014 conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm during, in relation to and in the furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. De La Rosa also has a prior felony conviction for possession with intent to distribute heroin. As previously convicted felons, Chavez and De La Rosa cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
A complaint is only an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Chavez and De La Rosa face up to 10 years in prison.
The Albuquerque VCGTF investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Uballez is prosecuting the case.
Navajo man sentenced to three years in prison for assaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Lyle Ryan Begaye, 44, of Tohlakai, New Mexico, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation of Fort Defiance, Arizona, was sentenced on June 2 in federal court to three years and 10 months in prison for assault resulting in serious bodily injury in Indian Country. Begaye pleaded guilty on Nov. 2, 2020.
In his plea agreement, Begaye admitted to assaulting the victim on June 1, 2020, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Begaye became jealous and struck the victim with his fist approximately 30 times on multiple parts of her body. Begaye struck the victim once for each letter in the first and last name of three men he believed she was being unfaithful with. Begaye then physically prevented the victim from leaving the residence. The victim was allowed to seek medical treatment only after assuring Begaye that she would not contact law enforcement. Begaye’s assault caused serious injuries, including fractures to the victim’s spine, broken ribs, extreme pain and hemorrhaging.
Emphasizing Begaye’s prior criminal history as “a serial terrorizer of women,” the court ordered Begaye to serve 200 hours of community service, which the court desired to be applied to battered women’s shelters. Upon his release from prison, Begaye will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas J. Aliberti prosecuted the case.
Man sentenced to 12 years in prison for bank robberies in Española and Santa FeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Lester Padilla, 48, was sentenced in federal court on June 8 to 12 years and 7 months in prison for robbing three Wells Fargo Bank locations in Española and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Padilla pleaded to an indictment on Sept. 24, 2020.
According to an indictment and other court records, on Sept. 9, 2019, Padilla entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Española and handed a teller a demand note that read, “Give me your loose cash or I’ll shoot you.” The teller handed money from the cash drawers and Padilla left the bank. Padilla walked to a nearby convenience store and solicited a ride.
On September 24, 2019, Padilla entered a Wells Fargo Bank in Santa Fe and handed a demand note to a teller. The teller gave Padilla money and Padilla fled the bank. On Sept. 26, 2019, the FBI received a tip that Padilla had entered a pizza restaurant in Santa Fe and paper and requested a pen to write a note. Padilla then left the restaurant and walked to a third Wells Fargo Bank, where he once again handed a teller a demand note stating, “Give me the money or I will shoot you.”
Upon his release from prison, Padilla will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Española Police Department and the Santa Fe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva Fontanez prosecuted the case.
Albuquerque man charged in federal court with drug trafficking and firearms possessionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Orlando “Orly” Roybal, 39, of Albuquerque, was charged in federal court on June 7 with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Roybal will remain in custody pending trial.
According to a criminal complaint, on June 2 agents with the FBI’s Albuquerque Violent Crime Gang Task Force (VCGTF) and the New Mexico State Police executed a search warrant on an apartment allegedly used by Roybal. At the time, Roybal was serving a term of supervised release for a prior conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and had registered a different address with his probation officer.
Among the items allegedly located by agents during the search were 2.9 pounds of methamphetamine, 41 fentanyl tablets, a dozen firearms, several ammunition magazines and more than a thousand rounds of ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Roybal cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Roybal faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
The Albuquerque VCGTF investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez is prosecuting the case.
Indiana man pleads guilty to sex trafficking conspiracyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Matthew “Stacks” Woods, 32, of Indiana, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 8 to conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by means of force, threats, fraud and coercion and aiding and abetting. Woods will remain in custody pending sentencing.
Woods and his co-conspirators, Cornelius “Chip” Galloway, and Marcus “Taylor Made” Taylor, were charged in a superseding indictment on Dec. 3, 2019, with seven counts of sex trafficking, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking and attempted sex trafficking. The charges included two counts of sex trafficking of minors.
In his plea agreement, Woods admitted to his part in the conspiracy to recruit, maintain, advertise, and transport victims for the purpose of prostitution. The victims were expected to work when they were told, with no say over their hours, fees or the locations in which they were to perform sex acts. The victims were not allowed to keep any of the money paid for their services.
According to the plea, Galloway was the leader of the organization, Taylor transported the victims, and Woods physically punished victims for non-compliance.
Woods faces 15 to 18 years in prison, up to lifetime supervised release, and will be required to register as a sex offender. His sentencing date has not been set.
Galloway pleaded guilty on March 17, 2020, and was sentenced on Aug. 4, 2020, to 17 years in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release. Taylor pleaded guilty on May 21, 2020 and was sentenced on May 21, 2021 to eight years in prison followed by 10 years supervised release. Both are required to register as sex offenders.
The Homeland Security Investigations and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jack E. Burkhead and Letitia C. Simms are prosecuting the case.
Enrolled member of the Navajo Nation pleads guilty to second degree murder in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mathias Neal, 21, from Sheep Springs, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, pleaded guilty in federal court on June 3 to an information charging him with second degree murder in Indian Country.
According to his plea agreement, on or about July 12, 2015, Neal and an accomplice got into a physical altercation with John Doe while at a chapter house, a local governance building, in San Juan County, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. During the altercation, Neal punched and kicked the victim while he was on the ground and hit him with brass knuckles and rocks to his head and throat, causing fatal injuries. Neal admitted being aware that John Doe tried to run away and not fight back. As a result of the beating, John Doe died at the scene and was dragged to a windmill area by Neal and his accomplice.
Neal is currently in custody awaiting sentencing, which has not been scheduled yet. He faces life in prison.
The case was investigated by the Farmington Office of the FBI and the Navajo Division of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson is prosecuting the case.
Airline passenger charged with interfering with flight crewRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Asiel Christian Norton, 43, of Venice, California, made an initial appearance in federal court on June 8 for a charge of interfering with flight crew members and attendants. Norton will remain in custody pending a preliminary and detention hearing scheduled for June 10.
According to a criminal complaint, on June 4 Norton was a passenger on a Delta Airlines flight from Los Angeles to Nashville. After takeoff, Norton allegedly rushed to the front of the aircraft and began pounding on the door to the flight deck. When a flight attendant attempted to intervene, Norton allegedly pushed the attendant. Other passengers then assisted the attendant in subduing Norton. The situation caused the flight to be redirected into Albuquerque, where Norton was arrested.
It is a violation of federal law on an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States to interfere with a flight attendant in the performance of their duties or to lessen their ability to perform those duties by assault or intimidation. If convicted, Norton faces up to 20 years in prison. A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
“We take all threats to the safety of air travelers very seriously, and we will vigorously enforce the laws intended to protect air travelers and others placed in danger by breaches in flight security,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico, Fred J. Federici. “I am also grateful for the actions of those involved in this incident who helped ensure a safe outcome for the travelers on the airplane.”
“The FBI has no tolerance for individuals who interfere with flight operations and endanger the safety of passengers and airline personnel,” said Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office. “I am pleased many people aboard the flight felt the same way, judging by the courageous attendants and passengers who sprang into action to restrain this person. As more Americans return to the skies, the FBI reminds travelers that misbehavior on board aircraft will not be tolerated and, if warranted, will be thoroughly investigated and referred for prosecution.”
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and Stephen White are prosecuting the case.
Mescalero man pleads guilty abusive sexual contact with a childRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Troy Douglas Blaylock, Sr., 58, of Mescalero, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, pleaded guilty on June 1 in federal court to knowingly engaging in sexual contact with a minor under 12 years old in Indian Country. Blaylock will remain in custody pending sentencing.
In the plea agreement, Blaylock admitted to engaging in sex with a nine-year old victim at his residence on the Mescalero Apache Reservation on or about August 20, 2020. The victim is also an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.
By the terms of the agreement, Blaylock faces 22 years in federal prison.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa A. Ong and Dustin Segovia are prosecuting the case.
California man sentenced to prison for in-flight assaultRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alton James Johnson, 43, of Yuba City, California, was sentenced on May 26 in federal court to six months in prison for assaulting two flight attendants while he was a passenger. Johnson pleaded guilty on Jan. 12.
According to the plea agreement, on Dec. 23, 2019, during a flight from San Diego, CA, to Albuquerque, Johnson repeatedly touched a female flight attendant up and down the backs of her legs. After she told him to stop, Johnson then grabbed the flight attendant by the buttocks. When a second flight attendant stepped in and asked Johnson not to touch any flight attendants, Johnson forcefully grabbed the second flight attendant by the arm. Johnson admitting to being under the influence of alcohol but conceded that he was in control of his actions when he committed the assaults.
The FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal prosecuted the case.
Zuni man sentenced to nine years in prison for assaulting a child in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alliah Jawaun Soseeah, 23, of Zuni, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Zuni Pueblo, was sentenced on May 26 in federal court to nine years in prison for two counts of assault resulting in substantial bodily injury of a minor in Indian Country.
Soseeah pleaded guilty on Dec. 14, 2020. In his plea agreement, Soseeah admitted that between Nov. 25 and Nov 29, 2017, at his home on the Zuni Pueblo, he used a thumbtack to cut and puncture the back of the 23-month old victim. Soseeah also admitted that on Nov. 30, 2017, he assaulted the child again by hitting and dropping the victim, causing a serious head injury.
Upon his release from prison, Soseeah will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Gallup Resident Office of the FBI investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas prosecuted the case.
# # #
Albuquerque man pleads guilty to violating migratory bird treaty actRead the Press Release
ALBQUERQUE, N.M. – Amado Martin Vargas Hernandez, 57, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty and was sentenced in federal court on May 24 for a single misdemeanor count of violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
In the plea agreement, Vargas Hernandez admitted that on Nov. 14, 2019, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, he unlawfully possessed bird parts, including feathers of sharp-shinned hawks, American kestrels, greater roadrunners, red-tailed hawks, northern flickers, white-winged doves, crested caracaras, Cooper’s hawks, bald eagles, golden eagles, and barred owls. Federal law prohibits the possession, use, and sale of the feathers or other parts of protected birds, as well as the unauthorized killing of these birds, to help ensure that their populations remain healthy and sustainable.
Vargas Hernandez was sentenced to one year of probation. As part of his sentence, Vargas Hernandez agrees to pay a fine of $250 to the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund Account. Additionally, Vargas Hernandez forfeits any interest in the feathers, parts, and products of the protected birds seized during the course of the investigation of this case.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) investigated this case. FWS is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 95-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System, which encompasses 545 national wildlife refuges as well as thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 69 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resources offices and 81 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands and helps foreign and Native American tribal governments with their conservation efforts.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Novaline D. Wilson prosecuted the case.
###
Santa Rosa man faces methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Paul James Jaramillo, III, 31, of Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was arraigned in federal court on May 24 on an indictment charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Jaramillo will remain in custody pending trial.
According to the indictment filed on May 12, 2021, Jaramillo allegedly committed this offense in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, on March 11 by being in possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute it.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. Jaramillo faces up to 20 years in prison on each count if convicted as charged in the indictment.
The Albuquerque Field Office of the FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Cowen is prosecuting the case.
# # #
Three people charged for hostage taking of foreign nationals in ChaparralRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Ricardo Arce, Vicki Sowell and Jonathan Gonzalez have been charged in federal court with hostage taking.
Arce, 40, of Chaparral, New Mexico, and Sowell, 35, of El Paso, Texas, were arrested on April 28. Sowell was charged in court and ordered detained on May 5. Arce was charged in court and ordered detained on May 7. Both will remain detained pending trial. Gonzales, 34, of Chaparral, was arrested on May 12 and made a first appearance in court on May 21. A detention hearing for Gonzalez is scheduled for May 26.
The defendants allegedly participated in an alien smuggling organization that held victims hostage for money and assaulted the victims.
According to a criminal complaint, on April 4 a citizen of the country of Georgia entered the United States from Juarez, Mexico, into El Paso. The victim later met people who allegedly were a part of an alien smuggling organization and paid them to transport him to New York where his family lives. They allegedly transported the victim to an unknown location and would not allow him to leave. They allegedly assaulted the victim by punching, kicking and hitting him and threatened that unless they received more money they would kill him. After the victim provided contact information for his family in Georgia, the defendants allegedly sent videos of the victim being assaulted and told the family that they would continue to harm or kill the victim if they did not pay.
On approximately April 25, the family contacted law enforcement in Georgia, who then contacted the FBI. On April 27, law enforcement recovered the victim at a barbershop in the El Paso area.
On approximately April 13, a citizen of Honduras entered the United States from Juarez. On approximately April 14, this second victim was taken to a trailer where approximately 14 other individuals allegedly were held. The victim was then taken to another trailer and later to a house where he encountered the victim from Georgia. The defendants allegedly assaulted the second victim multiple times on video and threatened his life if he did not pay them. On approximately April 17, the defendants allegedly contacted the victim’s family in Dallas, Texas, and demanded money for the victim’s release. On April 27, law enforcement recovered the victim at a pizza restaurant in the El Paso area.
“Anyone targeting and seeking to extort money from individuals who illegally cross the United States’ border should take heed that our office will vigorously prosecute all manner of violence and threats of violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Fred J. Federici.
“Those who seek to exploit and prey upon the vulnerable will be held accountable for these heinous crimes,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge for FBI El Paso Jeffrey L. Coburn. “I want to thank our FBI El Paso Violent Crime squad, FBI SWAT, our local law enforcement partners, and victim services for their help and support. It takes incredibly special people willing to put his or her life on the line to hold these violent criminals accountable for the emotional and physical harm they caused the victims and their families. And to do this day after day is the true definition of being a public servant.”
A complaint is only an allegation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, the defendants face up to life in prison.
The FBI El Paso Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the FBI Las Cruces Resident Agency, El Paso Police Department, Las Cruces Police Department, Otero County Sheriff's Office, Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector and Border Patrol El Paso Sector Special Operations Detachment BORTAC. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matthew Ramirez, Luis Martinez and Rachel Feuerhammer are prosecuting the case.
# # #
Woman from Farmington faces federal firearm, drug-trafficking chargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Mariah Jones, 30, of Farmington, New Mexico, was arraigned on May 20 in federal court on a three-count indictment charging her with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug-trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm. A federal grand jury indicted Jones on April 23. Jones will remain in custody pending trial.
According to the indictment, on Feb. 24, 2020, in San Juan County, New Mexico, Jones allegedly was in possession of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine as well as a rifle. As a previously convicted felon, Jones cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition, and it is a crime to possess a firearm in relation to or in the furtherance of drug trafficking.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Jones faces a minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.
The FBI and the Region II Narcotics Task Force in Farmington investigated this case with assistance from the Probation and Parole Office of the New Mexico Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.
Previously convicted felon charged in federal court for firearms possessionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Richard Kuykendall, 41, of Albuquerque, was charged in federal court on May 20 with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Kuykendall will remain detained pending trial.
As alleged in a criminal complaint and other court records, on May 12 in an alley in northeast Albuquerque, Kuykendall was attempting to enter the back seat of a car through the rear passenger-side door when someone inside the vehicle shot at him. Kuykendall allegedly maneuvered around the car and entered the vehicle through the rear driver-side door, then got back out of the vehicle with an object in his hand and walked to a nearby dumpster where he lingered a few moments.
Kuykendall allegedly returned to the vehicle and entered into the driver’s seat. He then allegedly drove the car to a hospital a few miles away. Kuykendall allegedly fled the scene, leaving three dead individuals inside the vehicle.
Albuquerque police searched the dumpster to which Kuykendall allegedly had walked with an object in hand. Police located a handgun inside the dumpster, as well as two more firearms inside the vehicle Kuykendall allegedly drove to the hospital. As a previously convicted felon, Kuykendall cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Kuykendall faces up to 10 years in prison.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.
Man from Gallup arraigned on charges of aggravated sexual abuse of a child in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Armando Segovia, 31, of Gallup, New Mexico, was arraigned today in federal court on an indictment charging him with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child who had not attained the age of 12. A federal grand jury indicted Segovia on April 14. Segovia will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for May 24.
According to the indictment, on or about July 1, 2016, and Nov. 1, 2016, Segovia, who is non-Indian, allegedly engaged in sexual acts with the victim, identified in court records as Jane Doe, in Indian Country in McKinley County, New Mexico. The victim is an Indian by law.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Segovia faces a minimum of 30 years and up to life in prison.
The FBI investigated this case jointly with the Gallup Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Chelsea Van Deventer is prosecuting the case.
Bosque Farms man arraigned for assault, firearms charges in Indian CountryRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Everett Paquin, 58, of Bosque Farms, New Mexico, and an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta, was arraigned today in federal court on a three-count indictment of assault with a deadly weapon, witness tampering and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. A federal grand jury indicted Paquin on April 22. Paquin will remain detained pending trial.
According to the indictment, on or about Dec. 31, 2020, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, on the Pueblo of Isleta, Paquin allegedly assaulted the victim, known in court records as Jane Doe, with a knife. Jane Doe is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta. Paquin also allegedly prevented Jane Doe from contacting the police.
When police made contact with Paquin after the assault, he was allegedly in possession of a loaded firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Paquin cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Paquin faces up to 20 years in prison.
The Isleta Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander Flores is prosecuting the case.