District of New Mexico
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Texas Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Trafficking Conviction in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Marc Wren, 49, of Odessa, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 87 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
Wren was charged by a criminal complaint filed on April 20, 2016, with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on March 26, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. Wren subsequently was indicted on that same charge on May 10, 2016.
According to court documents, Wren was arrested following a traffic stop after law enforcement officers determined that there was an outstanding arrest warrant for him in Texas. During a search incident to the arrest, the officers learned that Wren was in possession of approximately 107.6 grams of methamphetamine, which Wren had concealed in his pant leg.
On May 30, 2017, Wren pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on March 26, 2016, he was in possession of methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute to others.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Letitia C. Simms.
Isleta Pueblo Man Sentenced for Assaulting an Indian Woman and a Federal OfficerRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jonathan Abeita, 24, an enrolled member of the Isleta Pueblo who resides in Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., to 17 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on assault charges, including an assault on a federal officer charge.
Abeita was arrested on March 8, 2017, on an indictment charging him with assault resulting in serious bodily injury and assault on a federal officer. According to the indictment, Abeita committed the crimes on Aug. 13, 2016, on Isleta Pueblo in Valencia County, N.M.
On May 19, 2017, Abeita pled guilty to the indictment. In his plea agreement, Abeita admitted that on Aug. 13, 2016, he assaulted one victim, an Indian woman, by threatening her and punching her, causing her bottom teeth to become loose. Abeita also admitted that when tribal police officers responded to a call from the victim, he assaulted a tribal police officer who was commissioned as a Special Federal Officer by the BIA with a hatchet.
This case was investigated by the Isleta Pueblo Tribal Police Department and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy B. Solimon as part of the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico, which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native American women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
Albuquerque Woman Sentenced for Prescription Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Yvonne Garcia, 55, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for her conviction on prescription drug trafficking and money laundering charges. Garcia also was ordered to forfeit her interest in the proceeds of her criminal activities, including $71,674.92 seized from bank accounts and a safe deposit box, a 2016 Toyota Camry, a 2016 Toyota Tacoma truck, a 2013 BMW motorcycle, and to pay a money judgment in the amount of $15,500.
Garcia and her husband and co-defendant Gerald Roberts, 49, were arrested in Sept. 2016, on an eight-count indictment charging them with trafficking controlled substances in Bernalillo County, N.M. Garcia and Roberts were charged with conspiring to distribute oxycodone, oxymorphone and alprazolam from May 2016 through Sept. 2016. The indictment also charged the couple with distributing oxycodone on three separate occasions in May, June and July 2016; distributing oxymorphone on four occasions in May, June, July and Sept. 2016; and distributing alprazolam in July 2016.
On March 29, 2017, Garcia and Roberts each pled guilty to the conspiracy charged in the indictment and to felony informations charging them with conspiring to launder drug proceeds. According to the plea agreements, between May 2016 and Sept. 2016, Garcia and Roberts sold oxycodone, oxymorphone and alprazolam to an individual who unbeknownst to them was an undercover DEA agent. Garcia and Roberts deposited the proceeds of their illegal drug transactions into Wells Fargo checking and savings accounts in amounts that would not trigger currency-reporting requirements that could alert law enforcement authorities to their illegal activities. Garcia and Roberts used the drug proceeds in the bank accounts to make payments on their residential mortgage and vehicle loans.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Roberts will be sentenced to 51 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. The plea agreement also requires Roberts to forfeit the proceeds of his criminal conduct to the United States. A sentencing hearing for Roberts has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA, the Albuquerque Police Department and the Santa Fe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shana B. Long and Peter J. Eicker are prosecuting the case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
Non-Indian Man from Santa Fe Sentenced for Trespassing and Damaging Property on Pojoaque Pueblo LandRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Derek I. Hunt, 28, of Santa Fe, N.M., was sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a one-year term of probation for his conviction on misdemeanor charges of criminal trespass and criminal damage to property.
Hunt was charged in a criminal complaint on Feb. 8, 2017, with misdemeanor criminal trespass and criminal damage to property. The complaint alleged that in Aug. 2016, the Pojoaque Pueblo Governor banished Hunt, a non-Indian, from entering Pojoaque Pueblo lands. According to the complaint, Hunt reentered Pojoaque Pueblo on two occasions between Aug. 2016 and Jan. 2017, in violation of the Pueblo’s banishment resolution, and damaged a vehicle belonging to a Pojoaque Pueblo woman on Jan. 12, 2017.
On May 3, 2017, Hunt pled guilty to a misdemeanor information charging him with criminal trespass and criminal damage to property. In entering the guilty plea, Hunt admitted that although the Pueblo of Pojoaque had served him with an Order of Exclusion in Aug. 2016, he reentered the Pueblo on Jan. 5, 2017 and several times prior to Jan. 5, 2017. Hunt further admitted that on Jan. 5, 2017, he used a rock to damage the windshield of a vehicle on the Pojoaque Pueblo.
This case was investigated by the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and the Pojoaque Pueblo Tribal Police Department, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas.
Mexican National Sentenced to Prison for Role in Doña Ana County Cocaine Trafficking RingRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Rene Cruz-Vargas, 41, a Mexican national, was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 27 months in prison for participating in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine in Doña Ana County, N.M. Cruz-Vargas will be deported after completing his prison sentence.
Cruz-Vargas was arrested in Sept. 2016, on an indictment alleging cocaine trafficking charges. The 18-count indictment was the result of a six-month investigation, which was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, targeting a drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Joel Ibarra-Torres, 47, a Mexican national, that distributed cocaine in Doña Ana County.
The indictment charged Ibarra-Torres and seven co-conspirators, including several members of Ibarra-Torres’ family, with participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that existed from at least March 2016 until Sept. 2016. The indictment also charged that Ibarra-Torres and two of his co-defendants participated in an international money laundering conspiracy. It also charged certain of the defendants with substantive cocaine trafficking offenses and with using telephones to facilitate their drug trafficking activities. The indictment included forfeiture provisions that seek the forfeiture of at least $31,620, constituting proceeds of the defendants’ criminal activities, to the United States.
On June 22, 2017, Cruz-Vargas pled guilty to Count 1 of the indictment charging him with participating in a cocaine trafficking conspiracy. In entering the guilty plea, Cruz-Vargas admitted that on July 14, 2016, he traveled from in El Paso, Texas, to deliver five ¼ kilogram packages of cocaine to co-defendant Juan Velazquez, 26, in Las Cruces. Cruz-Vargas also admitted delivering six ¼ kilogram packages of cocaine to Velazquez on Aug. 25, 2016.
Seven of Cruz-Vargas’ codefendants have entered guilty pleas and three have been sentenced. Velasquez pled guilty on Dec. 22, 2016, Noemi Ibarra, 24, of Las Cruces, pled guilty on April 24, 2017, and Alejandro Chavez, 28, also of Las Cruces pled guilty on July 24, 2017, all three are pending sentencing hearings. Joel Ibarra, Jr., 22, of Sunland Park, N.M., pled guilty on Dec. 20, 2016, and was sentenced on April 26, 2017. Denise Duarte, 25, also of Sunland Park, pled guilty on Dec. 23, 2016, and was sentenced on May 1, 2017. Gabriela Castro, 25, a Mexican national pled guilty on Dec. 19, 2016, and was sentenced on April 24, 2017.
Ibarra-Torres has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation leading to the indictment was conducted by the Las Cruces office of the DEA, the U.S. Border Patrol and the FBI. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terri J. Abernathy and Sarah M. Davenport of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch office.
Legal Permanent Resident from El Salvador Sentenced to Fifteen Years for Cocaine and Heroin Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jose Remberto Guzman-Dominguez, 34, a legal permanent resident from El Salvador who resided in Las Vegas, Nev., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., for his conviction on cocaine and heroin trafficking charges. Guzman-Dominguez was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment and will be deported after completing his prison sentence.
Guzman-Dominguez and co-defendant Miguel Angel Rodriguez-Flores, 47, of Hawthorne, Calif., were arrested on Nov. 14, 2015, and were charged by criminal complaint after officers of the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police found approximately 117.15 pounds (53.14 kilograms) of narcotics in their commercial tractor-trailer during a routine inspection at the port of entry on Interstate 10 near Lordsburg, N.M. The two men subsequently were indicted on Feb. 17, 2016, on charges that they conspired to distribute cocaine and heroin and possessed cocaine and heroin with intent to distribute. According to the indictment, defendants committed the three offenses in Hidalgo County, N.M., on the evening of Nov. 13, 2014 and the early morning of Nov. 14, 2015.
Trial of Guzman-Dominguez and Rodriguez-Flores on the three-count indictment began July 11, 2016, and concluded on July 15, 2016, when the jury returned a verdict of guilty on all three counts. The evidence at trial established that late on Nov. 13, 2015 and into the early hours of Nov. 14, 2015, the defendants were traveling in a commercial tractor-trailer from Phoenix, Ariz., to Lordsburg. When they entered the port of entry on Interstate 10 in Hidalgo County, the New Mexico Motor Transportation Police stopped their commercial tractor-trailer to conduct a safety inspection. After identifying several safety violations, the inspector continued with a cargo inspection and found that the trailer was fully loaded with large containers of industrial cleaning solution. While inspecting the cargo, the inspector found four cardboard boxes that were different from the industrial cleaning solution containers. One of the boxes was open and contained several cellophane wrapped bundles. The officers opened one of the cellophane bundles and found that it contained white powder that tested positive for cocaine. The four boxes contained 51 bundles with a gross weight of 53.14 kilograms. Laboratory tests later performed on the contents of the 51 bundles determined that 46 of the packages contained an aggregate of 105.6 pounds (47.9 kilograms) of cocaine and five packages contained an aggregate of 11.55 pounds (5.24 kilograms) of heroin.
Rodriguez-Flores was sentenced on March 15, 2017, to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release.
The Border Enforcement Security Taskforce of the Las Cruces office of Homeland Security Investigations, New Mexico State Police, and New Mexico Motor Transportation Police investigated this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brock Taylor and Richard Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
Leader of Sunland Park Heroin Trafficking Ring Sentenced to Six Years for Federal Narcotics Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Raymundo Munoz, 69, of Sunland Park, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 72 months in prison for his conviction on heroin trafficking charges. Munoz will be on supervised release for four years after completing his prison sentence.
Munoz was the ringleader of a heroin trafficking organization operating out of Sunland Park, N.M., that obtained its heroin from Juan Francisco Rivera, 60, of El Paso, Tex., that was the target of a DEA-led investigation. The investigation was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, a nationwide Department of Justice program that combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.
Ten members of the heroin trafficking ring were charged in July 2016, in a 30-count indictment with participation in a heroin trafficking conspiracy and a series of substantive heroin trafficking offenses. The indictment charged all ten defendants with conspiring to distribute heroin in Doña Ana County and elsewhere between May 8, 2016 and July 12, 2016. It also included 23 counts charging certain defendants with distributing heroin or possessing heroin with intent to distribute and six counts charging certain defendants with using communications devices (telephones) to facilitate heroin trafficking crimes.
According to the indictment, Rivera routinely supplied Muñoz with heroin, in quantities ranging from two to nine ounces, which was smuggled by couriers into the United States across the international border in El Paso. Muñoz took the heroin to his Sunland Park residence where he distributed the drugs to others. Members of the conspiracy used telephones to negotiate their heroin deals, arrange for heroin deliveries, and pay for the heroin.
On March 1, 2017, Munoz pled guilty to conspiracy and distribution of heroin. In entering the guilty plea, Munoz admitted to conspiring with Rivera and others to distribute approximately 119 ounces of heroin between April and July 2016, using female body carriers who would cross heroin from Mexico into the United States to give to Rivera who would then give the heroin to Munoz. Munoz also admitted that on dates from April 10, 2016, through July 11, 2016, he facilitated the sale and delivery of more than 64 grams of heroin to other individuals. Munoz’s plea agreement indicated that on July 11, 2016, Blanca Elisa Tovar, 42, of El Paso, Texas, smuggled seven ounces of heroin to the United States, intending to deliver the heroin to Rivera. However, Tovar, Rivera and Munoz were arrested and agents subsequently seized approximately $52,304, several ounces of heroin and a firearm from Munoz’s vehicle and residence.
The following defendants previously entered guilty pleas in the case:
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Carlos Diaz, 37, of El Paso, Texas, pled guilty on Jan. 24, 2017, and was sentenced on June 29, 2017, to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release;
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Sandra Francis Guzman, 53, of El Paso, Texas, pled guilty on March 21, 2017, and was sentenced on July 25, 2017, to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release;
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Alberto Lozano-Morales, 43, of Sunland Park, pled guilty on Dec. 6, 2016, and was sentenced on May 24, 2017 to time served followed by one year of supervised release;
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Blanca Elisa Tovar, 42, of El Paso, Texas, pled guilty on Dec. 13, 2016, and faces a sentence of 24 months in prison under the terms of her plea agreement;
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Juan Francisco Rivera pled guilty on Feb. 7, 2017, and faces a sentence of 108 months in prison under the terms of his plea agreement;
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Armando Daniel Marquez, 54 of Sunland Park, N.M., pled guilty on Feb. 23, 2017, and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years under the terms of his plea agreement; and
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Eleodoro Sanchez, 62, of Canutillo, Texas, pled guilty on March 7, 2017, and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years under the terms of his plea agreement.
One of the two remaining co-defendants has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment; the second has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive. Charges in indictments and criminal complaints are only accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Las Cruces office of the DEA and Sunland Police Department investigated these cases with assistance from the El Paso office of the FBI, the U.S. Border Patrol, and the Gang Unit of the El Paso Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin C. Segovia and Renee L. Camacho of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting these cases as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative.
The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
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Career Offender from Carlsbad Sentenced to Ten Years for Federal Heroin and Cocaine Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Sylvester Hall, 55, of Carlsbad, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 120 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his heroin and crack cocaine trafficking conviction.
Hall, a career offender whose criminal history includes at least three prior drug trafficking convictions, was prosecuted under a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Hall was arrested on March 12, 2015, on a criminal complaint alleging heroin and crack cocaine trafficking offenses. According to the complaint, law enforcement agents located approximately 213.64 grams of heroin, 31.7 grams of crack cocaine, 100.7 grams of marijuana and $15,080.26 in cash inside a storage unit owned by Hall.
Hall was subsequently indicted on July 23, 2015, and charged with possession of heroin and crack cocaine with intent to distribute. According to the indictment, the offenses were committed on Feb. 10, 2015, in Eddy County, N.M. Hall entered a guilty plea to the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement on Nov. 10, 2016.
This case was investigated by the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force which is comprised of officers from the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department and Artesia Police Department and is part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was 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.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Heroin Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Miguel Ordonez, 24, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 70 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his conviction on heroin trafficking charges. Miguel Ordonez was also ordered to pay a $7,400 money judgment.
Miguel Ordonez and his four co-defendants, Gonzalo Montenegro-Coronel, 31, a Mexican national, Esther Ordonez, 48, and Reydecel Lopez-Ordonez, 24, both of Albuquerque, and Fernando Gomez-Campos, 21, of El Paso, Tex., were charged in a 13-count indictment that was filed on Dec. 2, 2015. The indictment charged the defendants with participating in a heroin trafficking conspiracy between Nov. 2014 and Sept. 2015, distributing heroin on eight occasions between Nov. 2014 and Sept. 2015, and with using telephones to facilitate drug trafficking crimes. It also charged Esther Ordonez, Miguel Ordonez and Montenegro-Coronel with maintaining a residence for the purpose of manufacturing and distributing heroin between Nov. 2014 and Sept. 2015. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the crimes in Bernalillo County, N.M.
On April 24, 2017, Miguel Ordonez pled guilty to two counts of distributing heroin, using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and maintaining a drug involved premises. In entering the guilty plea, Miguel Ordonez admitted participating in telephone communications on March 27, 2015, in order to arrange heroin sales with individuals who unbeknownst to him were undercover agents. Miguel Ordonez admitted selling 148 grams of heroin for $4,200 on March 27, 2015, and 98 grams of heroin for $3,200 on May 7, 2015, to the undercover agent. He also admitted that from Nov. 10, 2014 and until his arrest in July 2015, he helped others store heroin for distribution at 2620 Katrina Dr. SW in Albuquerque.
Three of the other defendants have entered guilty pleas and one has been sentenced. Lopez-Ordonez pled guilty on Oct. 19, 2016, and was sentenced to 60 months of imprisonment followed by four years of supervised release on March 30, 2017. Gomez-Campos pled guilty on March 10, 2017, and Esther Ordonez pled guilty on April 12, 2017. Gomez-Campos and Esther Ordonez have yet to be sentenced.
Montenegro-Coronel has entered a not guilty plea to the indictment and is pending trial. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and the HIDTA Region I Drug Task Force as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, which combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations. The HIDTA Region I Drug Task Force is comprised of officers from the Albuquerque Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department, Valencia County Sheriff’s Office, Pueblo of Pojoaque Tribal Police Department and DEA. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was 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.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Shaheen P. Torgoley and Stephen R. Kotz are prosecuting this case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced for Federal Bank Robbery ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Isaiah Gallegos, 22, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced this morning in federal court to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on an armed bank robbery charge.
Isaiah Gallegos was arrested in March 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him and four co-defendants, Greg Miera, 51, Martin Huerta, 43, Christian Herrera, 21, and Christopher Gallegos, 33, all of Albuquerque, with bank robbery. According to the complaint, a source identified the co-defendants as the individuals involved in robbing the US Bank branch located at 5620 Wyoming Blvd. NE in Albuquerque, on March 30, 2016. The complaint alleged that Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers conducted surveillance as a vehicle with four men pulled up to the US Bank on the afternoon of March 30, 2016. The complaint alleged that three of the men remained in the vehicle while the fourth entered the bank, threatened to shoot the bank employees, and demanded that two bank tellers place cash into a plastic bag.
Isaiah Gallegos, Huertta, Miera, Herrera and Christopher Gallegos were indicted on April 27, 2016, and charged with bank robbery.
On April 25, 2017, Isaiah Gallegos pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on March 30, 2016, he participated in the robbery of the US Bank branch located at 5620 Wyoming Blvd. NE in Albuquerque by acting as lookout while his co-defendants robbed the bank.
Isaiah Gallegos’ four co-defendants have entered guilty pleas and two have been sentenced. Huertta pled guilty on Sept. 9, 2016 and was sentenced on March 14, 2017 to 108 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Miera pled guilty on Oct. 11, 2016, and was sentenced on June 8, 2017, to 78 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Christopher Gallegos entered a guilty plea on Feb. 13, 2017, and Herrera entered a guilty plea on Feb. 24, 2017. At sentencing, Christopher Gallegos and Herrera each face a statutory maximum penalty of 25 years in federal prison. They remain in custody pending sentencing hearings.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Letitia C. Simms is prosecuting the case.
Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Sexual Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Peter Calvert-Cata, 21, a member and resident of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 48 months in prison followed by ten years of supervised release for his conviction on a sexual assault charge. He also will be required to register as a sex offender.
Calvert-Cata was arrested on Nov. 18, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated sexual abuse. According to the criminal complaint, Calvert-Cata sexually assaulted a 17-year-old female on Aug. 13, 2016, in Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. At the time of the sexual assault, the victim, a member of Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo, was fading in and out of consciousness because she was under the influence of alcohol and marijuana. Calvert-Cata subsequently was indicted on Dec. 7, 2016, and was charged with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse.
On March 6, 2017, Calvert-Cata entered a guilty plea to a felony information charging him with sexual assault. In his plea agreement, Calvert-Cata admitted that he attempted to engage in a sexual act with the victim on Aug. 13, 2016, at a time when she was highly intoxicated by alcohol and marijuana. Calvert-Cata also acknowledged providing the marijuana consumed by the victim.
This case was investigated by the Santa Fe office of the FBI, the Northern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services, the Ohkay Owingeh Tribal Police Department, and the New Mexico State Police.
Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lucy B. Solimon prosecuted the case as part of the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico, which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native American women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
Navajo Man from Shiprock Sentenced to Prison for Federal Involuntary Manslaughter and Assault ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Travis Arthur Mustache, 35, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Shiprock, N.M., was sentenced this morning in Albuquerque, N.M., to 37 months in prison for his conviction on federal involuntary manslaughter and assault charges. He will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Mustache was arrested in March 2017, on an indictment charging him with involuntary manslaughter and assault resulting in serious bodily injury. According to the indictment, Mustache killed one victim and seriously injured another while driving his vehicle under the influence of alcohol on the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County, N.M., on June 15, 2016.
On April 11, 2017, Mustache pled guilty to the indictment and admitted killing one victim and assaulting the second victim, causing her to sustain serious bodily injury, by driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol. Mustache acknowledged that the alcohol rendered him incapable of exercising clear judgment and a steady hand in operating the vehicle. According to plea agreement, the second victim suffered from rib fractures, a liver laceration, bruised lung tissue and scalp bruises as the result of the assault.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI, the Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and the New Mexico State Police and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Mease.
Mescalero Apache Man Pleads Guilty to Domestic Assault by a Habitual Offender ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jeffrey Reed Palmer, 35, an enrolled member of the Mescalero Apache Nation who resides in Mescalero, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to a domestic assault by a habitual offender charge.
Palmer was arrested on April 27, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with domestic assault of an intimate partner by a habitual offender. According to the criminal complaint, Palmer caused the victim to suffer a contusion to the nose and a minor head injury. Palmer committed the crime on Aug. 4, 2016, on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in Otero County, N.M. Palmer was charged as a habitual offender based on his two prior domestic violence convictions in Jan. 2014, from the Lincoln County Magistrate Court, and in Nov. 2009, from the Twelfth Judicial District court in Otero County.
During today’s proceedings, Palmer pled guilty to a felony information charging him with domestic assault by a habitual offender. In entering the guilty plea, Palmer admitted that on Aug. 4, 2016, he assaulted his intimate partner. Palmer also admitted that he was previously convicted on a battery against a household member charge in Alamogordo, N.M., in 2009, and again in Ruidoso, N.M., in 2014.
At sentencing, Palmer faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Mescalero Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office pursuant to the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico, which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
Former Manager of Mescalero Apache Tribe Owned Childcare Center Pleads Guilty to Theft ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – The former manager of Team Members Childcare Center (TMCC), a childcare center owned by the Mescalero Apache Tribe and operated at the Inn of the Mountain Gods (IMG) on behalf of its employees that require childcare pled guilty today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to a theft of government money charge.
Gina McPherson, 49, of Capitan, N.M., was arrested on May 1, 2017, and was charged by criminal complaint with theft of public money. According to the criminal complaint, McPherson committed the crime from Sept. 2011 through Jan. 2016, on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation in Otero County, N.M. McPherson was the manager of TMCC from March 2011 through her resignation in Dec. 2015. During her time as manager, McPherson enrolled TMCC into the Child and Adult Food Care Program (CACFP) administered by the State of New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), which enables qualifying childcare centers to provide meals to children from eligible families free of charge. Within a few months of McPherson’s resignation, IMG management became aware that TMCC was not receiving meal reimbursement funds from CACFP although CYFD records showed that funds had been disbursed to TMCC since Aug. 2011. Further investigation revealed that CYFD paid over $400,000 to McPherson for TMCC meals consumed by TMCC children from Aug. 2011 through Jan. 2016.
During today’s proceedings, McPherson pled guilty to an information charging her with theft of government money. In entering the guilty plea, McPherson admitted that while she was employed by IMG in Mescalero, N.M., as the manager for a child daycare program, she stole more than $400,000 in federal funds that were intended as reimbursement for meals consumed by children attending the daycare program. McPherson also admitted that, unbeknownst to IMG management, she enrolled the daycare attendees in a meal reimbursement program administered by CYFD which used funds disbursed by the federal Food and Drug Administration. The meal reimbursement checks went directly to McPherson and she converted those funds to her own use.
At sentencing, McPherson faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron O. Jordan of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Two Albuquerque Residents Sentenced and Another Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Arising Out of ATF-Led Operation Targeting Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crime in Bernalillo CountyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 104 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. To date, 69 of the 104 defendants charged as the result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas and 33 of them have been sentenced.
The investigation was undertaken in support of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
This week, two Albuquerque residents who were charged as the result of the investigation were sentenced in federal court. Jesse James Davis, 40, was sentenced on Aug. 10, 2017, to 135 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction. Richard Lucero, 37, who was charged in two indictments, also was sentenced on Aug. 10, 2017, to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
Another Albuquerque resident, Anthony Barela, 34, pled guilty on Aug. 3, 2017, to a methamphetamine charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Davis and his co-defendant, Joshua Bright, 32, were indicted on June 30, 2016, with conspiracy and distributing methamphetamine on June 6, 2016. Bright also was charged with distributing methamphetamine on June 14, 2016. On Feb. 17, 2017, Davis pled guilty to distributing methamphetamine, and admitted selling 115 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent on June 6, 2016. Bright has entered a plea of not guilty to the indictment and is pending trial.
Lucero and co-defendant Benjamin Marquez, 42, were charged with methamphetamine and heroin trafficking offenses in a five-count indictment filed in July 2016. The indictment charged the two men with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from May 6, 2016 through June 1, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine in May and June 2016. Marquez pled guilty on May 1, 2017, and is pending sentencing. A second indictment charged Lucero and co-defendants Waldo Nahle, 35, and Abel Perea, 29, with firearms and methamphetamine trafficking offenses. Lucero pled guilty to both indictments on Jan. 5, 2017, and admitted distributing methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent on May 6, 2016 and July 13, 2016. Perea pled guilty on Dec. 27, 2016, and is pending sentencing. Nahle has entered a plea of not guilty to the indictment and is pending trial.
Barela and co-defendants Guajira Maya Lovato, 44, Janet Bowman, 40, and Juan Jose Rivas, 33, were charged by indictment in July 2016, with a methamphetamine trafficking offense. The indictment later was superseded to add a fifth defendant, Maria Citlaly Beltran-Ahumada, 37, and another methamphetamine trafficking charge. The superseding indictment charged the five defendants with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from June 21, 2016 through Aug. 9, 2016, and with distributing methamphetamine on June 22, 2016. On Aug. 3, 2017, Barela pled guilty to an information charging him with distributing methamphetamine. Lovato and Rivas each pled guilty on July 27, 2017, and are pending sentencing hearings. Beltran Ahumada pled guilty on June 9, 2017, and was sentenced on June 26, 2017 to time served. Bowman has entered a plea of not guilty and is pending trial.
Thirty of the defendants charged as the result of the ATF investigation have entered not guilty pleas to the charges against them. Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
These cases were investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF. The case against Davis was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rumaldo R. Armijo; the case against Lucero was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eva Fontanez; and the case against Barela is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez.
Santa Fe Man Sentenced for Conviction on Federal False Statements ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Arthur Herlihy, 68, of Santa Fe, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to three years of supervised release for his conviction on making a false statement to a bank. Herlihy was also ordered to perform 100 hours of community service.
Herlihy and co-defendant Bruce Beckner, 54, a U.S. citizen currently residing in Honduras, were charged in a five-count indictment filed on June 24, 2015. The indictment alleged that in 2007, Beckner recruited Herlihy to join him in developing a business plan and securing financing to renovate a truck stop in Deming, N.M. The indictment further alleged fraudulent conduct in the operation of the truck stop, including making false statements to a bank for the purpose of obtaining a business loan.
On Feb. 3, 2017, Herlihy pled guilty to an information charging him with making a false statement to a bank. In entering the guilty plea, Herlihy acknowledged that he previously was employed by a truck stop business in Deming that was owned by several limited liability companies. Herlihy admitted that in February 2010, while employed by the truck stop business, he signed several documents in connection with a loan transaction with 1st New Mexico Bank, including a commercial security agreement that identified the truck stop’s liquor license as part of the collateral for the loan. Herlihy obtained the loan knowing that the truck stop business did not own the liquor license outright, but still owed money to the seller of the license from a transaction that occurred in December 2008. Herlihy made a false statement to the bank when he represented that the liquor license was free and clear of any liens or lawsuits. Herlihy acknowledged that this constituted a false statement to 1st New Mexico Bank because he intended to influence the bank to extend a loan to the truck stop business.
Beckner has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive. Charges in indictments and criminal complaints are only accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation and the Special Investigations Division of the New Mexico Office of the Attorney General and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean J. Sullivan.
Santa Ana Pueblo Man Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison for Federal Rape ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Anthony Montoya, 33, an enrolled member of the Santa Ana Pueblo who resides in Bernalillo, N.M., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 168 months in prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for his conviction on sexual abuse charges. Montoya will also be required to register as a sex offender when he completes his prison sentence.
Montoya was arrested on June 20, 2016, on an indictment charging him with sexually abusing two women in Aug. 2014, and sexually abusing a third woman on April 30, 2016. According to the indictment, the victims were physically incapable of declining to participate in the sexual acts. According to the indictment, Montoya committed the crimes on the Santa Ana Pueblo in Sandoval County, N.M.
On March 20, 2017, Montoya pled guilty to two counts of sexual abuse and admitted sexually abusing one woman on Aug. 16, 2014, and sexually abusing another woman on April 30, 2016.
This case was investigated by the Southern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services, the Santa Ana Pueblo Tribal Police Department and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Spindle prosecuted the case.
The case was brought pursuant to the Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorney (Tribal SAUSA) Pilot Project in the District of New Mexico which is sponsored by the Justice Department’s Office on Violence Against Women under a grant administered by the Pueblo of Laguna. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project seeks to train tribal prosecutors in federal law, procedure and investigative techniques to increase the likelihood that every viable violent offense against Native women is prosecuted in either federal court or tribal court, or both. The Tribal SAUSA Pilot Project was largely driven by input gathered from annual tribal consultations on violence against women, and is another step in the Justice Department's on-going efforts to increase engagement, coordination and action on public safety in tribal communities.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Marcos Montoya, Jr., 29, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 66 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction on a methamphetamine trafficking charge.
Montoya was arrested in Dec. 2015, on a two-count indictment charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Feb. 20, 2015, and maintaining a place for the purpose of storing, distributing and using methamphetamine and marijuana from Dec. 2014 through Feb. 20, 2015. According to the indictment, Montoya committed the crimes in Bernalillo County, N.M.
On Jan. 17, 2017, Montoya pled guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and admitted that on Feb. 20, 2015, he possessed methamphetamine, which he intended to distribute to others. Montoya also admitted storing most of the methamphetamine in a storage locker, but selling some of the drugs out of his house in Bernalillo County.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Letitia C. Simms.
San Juan County Man Sentenced for Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Kirk Castor, 37, of Kirtland, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on a methamphetamine trafficking charge.
Castor was one of eight San Juan County residents charged with federal narcotics trafficking offenses as the result of a multi-agency investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the HIDTA Region II Narcotics Task Force into methamphetamine trafficking on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northwestern New Mexico. The investigation was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, which combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.
The investigation leading to the federal charges was initiated in response to an increase in methamphetamine trafficking on the Navajo Indian Reservation in the Shiprock area. The investigation identified eight defendants, who are charged in five indictments, through a series of methamphetamine purchases by undercover law enforcement officers. Law enforcement authorities seized more than two and a half pounds of methamphetamine, ten firearms, approximately $1,600 in cash and a vehicle during an arrest operation on May 11, 2016.
Castor was arrested on an indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine on April 1, 2015 and April 3, 2015, in San Juan County, N.M. On Oct. 14, 2016, Castor pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on April 1, 2015, he sold .7 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer, and on April 3, 2015, he sold 42 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover officer.
Six of the other seven defendants have entered guilty pleas and have been sentenced. The remaining defendant has entered a not guilty plea and is awaiting trial. Charges in indictments and complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted in a court of law.
These cases were investigated by HSI’s Albuquerque office and the HIDTA Region II Narcotics Task Force with assistance from the Farmington office of the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and BIA’s Division of Drug Enforcement, Shiprock office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, New Mexico State Police, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, Farmington Police Department, and New Mexico National Guard. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elaine Y. Ramirez is prosecuting the cases.
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, Aztec Police Department and HSI Albuquerque, and is part of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was 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.
Navajo Man from Arizona Sentenced for Federal Firearms and Burglary Conviction in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Loren Lloyd Wauneka, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Window Rock, Ariz., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on federal firearms and burglary charges.
Wauneka and his co-defendant Lisa Benally, 37, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Fort Defiance, Ariz., were arrested on Jan. 29, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging them with being felons in possession of firearms and burglary on the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, a law enforcement officer encountered Wauneka, Benally and others as they were attempting to burglarize the officer’s residence on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Court documents indicate that pursuant to a search warrant, a television, jewelry, bags, computer laptops and two firearms allegedly belonging to the officer, were seized from inside Wauneka and Benally’s vehicle.
Wauneka and Benally were subsequently indicted on Feb. 24, 2016, and charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession of stolen firearms and aggravated burglary on Dec. 1, 2015, in McKinley County. According to the indictment, Wauneka was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously was convicted of unlawful discharge of a firearm and aggravated driving while intoxicated. Benally was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because she previously had been convicted of escape, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of dangerous drugs.
On March 23, 2017, Wauneka pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and aggravated burglary. In entering the guilty plea, Wauneka admitted that on Dec. 1, 2015, he entered a residence with the intent to commit theft and stole two firearms and ammunition which he placed into his vehicle, thus making Wauneka armed during the burglary. Wauneka further admitted that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.
On March 27, 2017, Benally pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and aggravated burglary. In entering the guilty plea, Benally admitted that on Dec. 1, 2015, she and others drove to and unlawfully entered a residence with the intent to commit theft and stole two firearms and ammunition, which Benally placed into her vehicle, thus making Benally armed during the burglary. Benally further admitted that she was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of her status as a convicted felon. At sentencing, Benally faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for Aug. 31, 2017.
This case was investigated by the Crownpoint office of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety, the McKinley County Sheriff’s Office and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Murphy is prosecuting the case.
California Man Sentenced to Nine and a Half Years for Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Conviction in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Fermin Artiaga, 36, of Perris, Calif., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 114 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
Artiaga was arrested in Aug. 2015, and was charged by a criminal complaint with a methamphetamine trafficking offense after the DEA seized approximately 1.95 kilograms (4.29 pounds) of methamphetamine during an interdiction investigation at the Amtrak Train Station in Albuquerque. The methamphetamine was concealed in four bundles inside Artiaga’s suitcase. Artiaga was indicted on Sept. 10, 2015, and was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
On April 6, 2017, Artiaga pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Artiaga admitted that on Aug. 22, 2015, he transported four bundles of methamphetamine weighing an aggregate of 1758 grams in a suitcase into New Mexico on an Amtrak train.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez.
Albuquerque-Area Construction Contractor Sentenced for Federal Tax Evasion and Fraud ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joseph Dubois, 38, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 27 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for federal tax evasion and fraudulently presenting a fictitious surety bond. Dubois was also ordered to pay $410,520 in restitution to the victims of his crimes.
Dubois, the owner and operator of Regency Development Group (RDG), a construction contractor located in Albuquerque, was charged by felony information with tax evasion and presenting a fictitious surety bond. According to the information, Dubois evaded his federal corporate tax obligations from Nov. 2011 to Oct. 2013, by opening and concealing a new bank account to circumvent tax liens, removing and dissipating assets to avoid their seizure, and by underreporting income and gross receipts. The information also alleged that Dubois created a materially false document, a surety bond, and fraudulently presented it as an actual security and financial instrument under the authority of a surety company.
On Feb. 8, 2017, Dubois pled guilty to the two charges in the information. In entering the guilty plea, Dubois admitted that as owner and operator of RDG, he evaded payment of $237,251 in federal employment taxes for tax years 2010 through 2012. Specifically, Dubois admitted that from Nov. 2011 through Oct. 2013, he opened a bank account which he used to divert funds in an attempt to circumvent liens and levies, and to evade payment of his tax liabilities. Dubois also acknowledged underreporting income and gross receipts to the IRS.
According to Dubois’s plea agreement, in Dec. 2011, RDG entered into contracts with the Ramah Navajo School Board to renovate a building at the Pine Hill School. The contracts required RDG to obtain and provide a surety bond. On Feb. 10, 2012, Dubois produced a materially false and fictitious surety bond which appeared to be an actual security under the authority of the Western Surety Company.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of IRS Criminal Investigation and Department of the Interior, Office of Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremy Pena.
Zuni Pueblo Woman Pleads Guilty to Federal Voluntary Manslaughter ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Bree Lynn Coonsis, 25, a member and resident of Zuni Pueblo, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a voluntary manslaughter charge. Coonsis entered the guilty plea under a plea agreement that recommends that she be sentenced to an eight-year term of imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court
Coonsis was arrested on May 10, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging her with killing a woman on the Zuni Pueblo on April 29, 2017, in McKinley County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, Coonsis killed the victim by hitting the victim with her car while Coonsis was driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs.
During today’s proceedings, Coonsis pled guilty to an information charging her with voluntary manslaughter. In entering the guilty plea, Coonsis admitted that on April 29, 2017, she killed the victim by striking the victim with a vehicle, while intending to cause the victim serious bodily injury. Coonsis remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and the Zuni Pueblo Tribal Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah Mease.
Cibola County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Benjamin F. Chavez, 55, of Cubero, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to a methamphetamine trafficking charge. Chavez’s plea agreement recommends a sentence of up to 87 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Chavez will also be required to forfeit five firearms.
Chavez was arrested on Feb. 22, 2016, on an indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine on April 21, 2015, in Cibola County, N.M. The indictment includes a forfeiture provision requiring Chavez to forfeit $1,600 to the United States.
During today’s proceedings, Chavez pled guilty to a felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and admitted that on April 21, 2015, he distributed approximately 55.74 grams of pure methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent. Chavez remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez.
Navajo Man from Churchrock Sentenced to 18 Years for Federal Child Sexual Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Patrick Begay, 43, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Churchrock, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 216 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction on an abusive sexual contact charge. Begay will also be required to register as a sex offender.
Begay was arrested in Nov. 2016, on a four-count indictment charging him with sexually abusing a child under the age of 12 years from Nov. 2013 through Dec. 2015, and engaging in sexual contact with a child under the age of 12 years on Jan. 6, 2016. Begay committed the offenses on the Navajo Indian Reservation in McKinley County, N.M.
On March 17, 2017, Begay pled guilty to Count 4 of the indictment charging him with abusive sexual contact with a child. In entering the guilty plea, Begay admitted that on Jan. 6, 2016, he engaged in sexual contact with the victim, who was then nine-years old. Begay further admitted that he repeatedly sexually abused the victim from the time she was seven-years old.
This case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI and the Navajo Nation Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall prosecuted this case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Arizona Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Drug Trafficking Conviction in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Adrian Soto, 32, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.
Soto was arrested on March 29, 2016, and charged with a methamphetamine trafficking offense after the DEA seized a total of 4.95 kilograms (11.08 pounds) of methamphetamine during an interdiction investigation at the Greyhound Bus Station. The methamphetamine was concealed in various bundles inside Soto’s luggage.
Soto was subsequently indicted on April 27, 2016, and was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on March 29, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
On Sept. 19, 2016, Soto pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Soto admitted transporting methamphetamine to Albuquerque on a Greyhound bus by concealing the methamphetamine in a gift-wrapped package in his luggage.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers prosecuted the case.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced for Federal Bank Robbery ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Kenneth Columbus Burwell, 54, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced this morning in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., to 46 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his conviction on a bank robbery charge.
Burwell was arrested in Nov. 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with robbing the US Bank branch located at 3000 Central Ave. SE in Albuquerque on Oct. 14, 2015. Burwell subsequently was indicted on Nov. 15, 2016, and charged with bank robbery.
On March 7, 2017, Burwell pled guilty to the indictment, and admitted that on Oct. 14, 2015, he robbed the US Bank branch by approaching the bank teller, demanding money, and threatening to shoot the teller if she pulled the alarm. Burwell further admitted that after threatening the teller, he pulled his shirt tight showing an impression of a gun-shaped item concealed beneath his clothing.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe prosecuted the case.
Albuquerque Felon Charged with Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – This morning Abran Apodaca, 37, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The charge arises from an Aug. 4, 2017 incident during which FBI Special Agents and a Task Force Officer fired at Apodaca after he allegedly pointed a rifle at an Agent.
The criminal complaint alleges that on Aug. 4, 2017, after learning that Apodaca had an active state arrest warrant for an alleged probation violation, FBI Special Agents and Task Force Officers conducted surveillance at Apodaca’s residence. During their surveillance, the agents and officers observed Apodaca and two other individuals drive up to the residence in a gray vehicle. After observing Apodaca enter and exit the residence and re-enter the gray vehicle, FBI Special Agents engaged their vehicles’ emergency lights and approached the gray vehicle with the intention of arresting Apodaca. Apodaca, who was driving the gray vehicle, allegedly responded by accelerating into an agent’s vehicle and maneuvering around the agent’s vehicle. Apodaca then allegedly pointed a rifle at the agent, and FBI Special Agents and a Task Force Officer responded by firing at Apodaca. Apodaca sustained a gunshot wound. Special Agents rendered aid to Apodaca, and then arrested him and transported him to a hospital.
According to the criminal complaint, FBI Special Agents and Task Force Officers seized a rifle, which was found adjacent to the gray vehicle in the area where they arrested Apodaca. The criminal complaint alleges that Apodaca was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.
FBI agents arrested Apodaca on the criminal complaint this morning. Apodaca remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.
If convicted on the crime charged in the criminal complaint, Apodaca faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez is prosecuting the case.
Apodaca ComplaintLas Cruces Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Marriage Fraud ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Santiago Aveles, 31, of Las Cruces, N.M., pled guilty on Aug. 4, 2017, in federal court to charges arising out of a scheme to obtain immigration status for foreign nationals through fraudulent marriages.
On April 19, 2017, Aveles and five co-defendants – Yi Lee, 44, a naturalized U.S. citizen residing in Santa Fe, N.M., and Chia-Jung Chang, 39, Dan Zheng, 32, Lian Xiang Deng, 42, and Xiao-Yin Le, 50, all Chinese nationals illegally in the United States – were indicted and charged with participating in a conspiracy to commit marriage fraud. The indictment also charged Aveles and Zheng with committing marriage fraud for the purpose of evading the federal immigration laws.
The indictment alleged that from June 2016 through March 2017, the six defendants conspired to obtain immigration status for foreign nationals by committing marriage fraud. The scheme involved having U.S. citizens enter into fraudulent marriages with foreign nationals in return for financial gain. Lee allegedly facilitated the conspiracy by arranging meetings between foreign nationals and U.S. citizens and assisting them in obtaining marriage licenses, working permits and green cards for the foreign nationals who paid Lee and the U.S. citizens. According to the indictment, Lee allegedly attempted to arrange fraudulent marriages between certain of his co-defendants and undercover law enforcement agents.
On Aug. 4, 2017, Aveles pled guilty to a felony information charging him with conspiracy and marriage fraud. In entering the guilty plea, Aveles admitted that from Jan. 2016 through April 30, 2017, he and others conspired to commit marriage fraud. Aveles also admitted that he entered into a sham marriage for the purpose of evading immigration laws and in exchange for a monetary payment.
At sentencing, Aveles faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Aveles’ co-defendants have entered pleas of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and all criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of HSI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin C. Segovia and Marisa A. Ong of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Rio Rancho Man Facing Federal Arson Charge Arising Out of July 31, 2017 Fire at Rio Rancho ChurchRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has filed a criminal complaint charging Gordon Schuler, 23, of Rio Rancho, N.M., with using fire to damage or destroy a building used in interstate commerce. The charge against Schuler arises out of a fire that was ignited at the Peace Lutheran Church in Rio Rancho, causing extensive damage to the church.
According to the criminal complaint, in the early hours of July 31, 2017, the Rio Rancho Fire Department observed and responded to a fire at the church. After extinguishing the fire, firefighters determined that the fire had caused extensive damage to the church’s sanctuary and heavy smoke damage to the rest of the church. During a neighborhood canvass of the area, ATF Special Agents learned that a business located near the church had surveillance cameras that allegedly recorded Schuler, who was wearing a backpack and carrying a hammer, as he walked through the business’s courtyard in the early hours of the morning. During their investigation, fire investigators allegedly found a backpack and a hammer in the church that appeared to be the ones in Schuler’s possession in the surveillance video footage.
The criminal complaint alleges that fire investigators determined that the fire at the church was purposely caused and the result of arson. It alleges also that the church engages in interstate commerce by donating a percentage of its income to an ecclesiastic council based in Wisconsin.
The Rio Rancho Police Department arrested Schuler on Aug. 1, 2017, on an outstanding state arrest warrant for absconding from probation on a state conviction. Schuler currently is in state custody and will be transferred into federal custody to face the charge in the criminal complaint.
If convicted on the crime charged in the criminal complaint, Schuler faces a statutory penalty of not less than five years nor more than 20 years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations. All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the ATF office in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho Police Department, Rio Rancho Fire Department, Bernalillo County Fire Department, and the State Fire Marshal’s Office of the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers is prosecuting the case.
Schuler ComplaintLas Cruces Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Luther Whelan, 42, of Las Cruces, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 84 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his conviction on methamphetamine trafficking charges.
Whelan was arrested in Sept. 2015, on a criminal complaint charging him with methamphetamine trafficking offenses. According to the complaint, law enforcement officers seized approximately 101.5 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia from Whelan on Feb. 7, 2015, and approximately 24.4 grams of methamphetamine and 2.8 grams of heroin from Whelan on July 23, 2015.
Whelan was subsequently indicted on Dec. 9, 2015, and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Feb. 7, 2015, and July 23, 2015. According to the indictment, Whelan committed the offenses in Dona Ana County, N.M.
On March 4, 2016, Whelan pled guilty to Count 1 of the indictment charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Whelan admitted that on Feb. 7, 2015, he possessed approximately 102 grams of methamphetamine with the intention of selling it to others.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brock E. Taylor of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Federal Jury in New Mexico Convicts Colorado Man on Cocaine Trafficking ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury sitting in Las Cruces, N.M., returned a verdict yesterday afternoon finding Colorado Springs, Colo., resident Leroy Tchod Cameron Ravenell, 28, guilty on a cocaine trafficking charge after a three-day trial. Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy of the DEA’s El Paso Division and Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Self of the U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector announced the verdict.
U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested Ravenell on Nov. 11, 2016, after finding approximately .36 kilograms (.8 pounds) of cocaine and two firearms concealed in his vehicle during an inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near Alamogordo, N.M., in Otero County, N.M. Ravenell, who initially was charged in a criminal complaint, subsequently was indicted on May 17, 2017, and charged with possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
Ravenell’s trial began on July 31, 2017, and concluded yesterday afternoon when the jury returned a guilty verdict against Ravenell on the sole count of the indictment.
The testimony at trial established that on Nov. 11, 2016, Ravenell was a passenger in his vehicle when it was driven into the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 54 south of Alamogordo. During a routine inspection of Ravenell’s vehicle, Border Patrol agents found approximately 243 grams of cocaine hidden in a small box and two firearms. Agents also located a large amount of cash on Ravenell’s person. Testimony during the trial established that Ravenell made a statement to law enforcement that he had bought the cocaine from another person in a parking lot in El Paso, Tex., on the morning of Nov. 11, 2016, with the intention of selling the cocaine to others.
The jury deliberated approximately three hours before returning its guilty verdict.
Ravenell was remanded into custody after the verdict was returned and will remain detained pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Ravenell faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the DEA and the U.S. Border Patrol and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Balla and Richard C. Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Five Years for Federal Charges Arising Out of ATF-Led Operation Targeting Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crime in Bernalillo CountyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 104 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. To date, 68 of the 104 defendants charged as the result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas and 31 of them have been sentenced.
The investigation was undertaken in support of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Dwayne Cunningham, 49, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 60 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction on a methamphetamine trafficking charge.
Cunningham and his co-defendants, Devell Devoual, 35, and Cedric Laneham, 39, were arrested in July 2016, on an indictment charging them with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine between May 16, 2016 and June 2, 2016; Devoual and Laneham with distributing methamphetamine on May 17, 2016; and Devoual and Cunningham with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute on June 2, 2016. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the offenses in Bernalillo County, N.M.
On May 2, 2017, Cunningham pled guilty to distributing more than 50 grams of methamphetamine on May 17, 2016. Co-defendant Devoual also has entered a guilty plea and remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing.
Co-defendant Laneham has entered a not guilty plea and remains in custody pending his trial, which is scheduled for Sept. 1, 2017. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Walsh and Norman Cairns.
Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Fraud, Identity Theft and Theft of Mail ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Ralph Eastman, 48, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty yesterday in federal court to conspiracy, fraud, identify theft and theft of mail charges. Under the terms of Eastman’s plea agreement, he will be sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Eastman and co-defendant Katie Carrillo, 26, also of Albuquerque, were charged in a 16-count indictment on Aug. 23, 2016, with conspiracy, ten counts of bank fraud, three counts of aggravated identity theft, and two counts of theft of mail. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the offenses from Dec. 2015 through April 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M., by stealing mail and packages from cluster mailboxes located in apartment complexes. The mail stolen included checkbooks, checks, ATM cards, PIN numbers and personal identifiers of victims, which the defendants allegedly used to commit further crimes.
During yesterday’s change of plea hearing, Eastman pled guilty to the charges against him in the indictment, namely, conspiracy, eight counts of bank fraud, and two counts of theft of mail. Eastman also pled guilty to a felony information charging him with aggravated identify theft. In entering the guilty plea, Eastman admitted that from Dec. 2015 through April 2016, he conspired with others to steal mail and packages specifically to obtain financial information and forms of identification. Eastman further admitted that he and others altered checks and used them at local businesses in exchange for goods, services and online transactions. Eastman also admitted that he and others used stolen identifications and personal information to facilitate fraudulent transactions.
In his plea agreement, Eastman also acknowledged that he and others stole mail and packages from authorized depositories for the U.S. Postal Service through mailboxes located at an Albuquerque apartment complex on March 9, 2016 and March 12, 2016.
Carrillo has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. Charges in indictments are only accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The U.S. Postal Service, the Albuquerque Police Department and the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Jon Ganjei and Paul Mysliwiec.
Prior Felon from Albuquerque Sentenced to Eight and a Half Years for Violating Federal Firearms LawsRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Lucas James Maldonado, 35, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 102 months in prison for violating federal firearms laws. Maldonado will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Maldonado was indicted on Dec. 3, 2014, and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm on Feb. 20, 2014. The indictment was superseded on July 30, 2015, and charged Maldonado with a second felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition charge, and with being a violent felon in possession of body armor on June 10, 2015. The superseding indictment alleged that Maldonado committed the offenses in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to superseding indictment, Maldonado was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his prior felony convictions for aggravated battery, false imprisonment, criminal damage to property and conspiracy to commit residential burglary.
On Feb. 9, 2017, Maldonado pled guilty to Count 2 of the superseding indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In entering the guilty plea, Maldonado admitted that on June 10, 2015, law enforcement agents arrested him on several outstanding arrest warrants. Maldonado acknowledged that, during a search incident to arrest, the officer found a black semi-automatic handgun that was visible in the center console of his vehicle. Maldonado acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Albuquerque Police Department and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez prosecuted the case.
Navajo Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Conviction on Involuntary Manslaughter ChargesRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Tracey Beaver, 38, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who resides in Pinehill, N.M., was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., to 60 months of imprisonment on each of two counts of involuntary manslaughter to run consecutively for a total of 120 months of imprisonment. Beaver will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Beaver was arrested on Sept. 24, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with involuntary manslaughter. According to the complaint, Beaver killed two victims when he crashed his vehicle on Sept. 9, 2016, on the Ramah Navajo Indian Reservation in Cibola County, N.M. At the time of the crash, Beaver was driving under the influence of alcohol.
On Nov. 16, 2016, Beaver pled guilty to a felony information charging him with two counts of involuntary manslaughter. In entering the guilty plea, Beaver admitted killing the two victims by driving recklessly while under the influence of alcohol. Beaver acknowledged that the alcohol rendered him incapable of exercising clear judgment and a steady hand in operating the vehicle.
This case was investigated by the Gallup office of the FBI, the New Mexico State Police and the Ramah Navajo Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Marshall.
Multi-Agency Investigation Dismantles Lea County-Based Drug Trafficking OrganizationRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Seven residents of Lea County, N.M., including four Mexican nationals, and a resident of Yuma, Ariz., are facing federal narcotics trafficking and money laundering charges as the result of a multi-agency investigation led by the DEA into a significant drug trafficking organization based in Hobbs, N.M., that allegedly imported methamphetamine and cocaine into Lea County from Mexico through Arizona.
Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy of the DEA’s El Paso Division announced the federal charges today following a law enforcement operation in Lea County that resulted in the arrest of seven of the eight defendants. Joining them in making the announcement were Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez of HSI in El Paso, Commander Sean Roach of the Lea County Drug Task Force, Lea County Sheriff Byron Wester, and Hobbs Police Chief Chris McCall.
The charges in the 20-count indictment are the result of an investigation by the DEA, HSI and the Lea County Drug Task Force of HIDTA Region 6 into a Lea County-based drug trafficking organization allegedly led by Jose Raul Mendivil-Berrelleza, a Mexican national who resides in Hobbs. The investigation was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, a Department of Justice program that combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement authorities seized 13 kilograms (28.6 pounds) of pure methamphetamine and 1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds) of cocaine during a traffic stop in Lea County on Feb. 27, 2017. They also seized $14,000 in cash during a vehicle inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 10 in Dona Ana County, N.M., on July 5, 2017. During today’s law enforcement operation, law enforcement authorities executed federal search warrants at three residences and two travel trailers in Hobbs and seized approximately .25 kilograms (.55 pounds) of cocaine, a handgun and approximately $5000.
In announcing the results of the investigation, Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney said, “This investigation was a coordinated effort to crackdown on drug trafficking in southeastern New Mexico. It is part of our statewide fight against illegal drugs and the cycle of violence that goes hand in hand with drug trafficking. Those who choose to engage in drug trafficking should be on notice that federal, state and local law enforcement are committed to working together to put them out of business and into prison cells.”
“Law enforcement at the local, state and federal levels have joined together to dismantle a criminal organization allegedly responsible for spreading poison on the streets of Hobbs and the surrounding area,” said Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy of the DEA El Paso Division. “Today’s enforcement operation is part of DEA’s ongoing commitment to attack the drug trafficking that endangers our communities as well as the related violence that goes with it.”
“Today’s arrests and search warrants solidifies HSI’s cooperation with DEA and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to work jointly with our local law enforcement partners to identify transnational organizations that continue to poison our local communities with illegal narcotics,” said Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez of HSI El Paso. “Our fight to bring those who violate narcotics trafficking laws to justice will continue unapologetically.”
The 20-count indictment charges alleged ringleader Mendivil-Berrelleza and seven co-defendants with conspiracy, methamphetamine and cocaine trafficking, and money laundering offenses. Count 1 of the indictment charges all eight defendants with participating in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and cocaine in Lea County and elsewhere between Nov. 2016 and July 2017. Count 2 charges Mendivil-Berrelleza and Roberto Rendon-Duran, 70, of Yuma, Ariz., with participating in an international money-laundering conspiracy. Counts 3 through 5 charge certain defendants with methamphetamine trafficking offenses and Count 6 charges certain defendants with a cocaine trafficking offense. Counts 7 through 20 charge certain defendants with using communications devices to facilitate their drug trafficking activity.
Another defendant, who was arrested on June 13, 2017, also has been federally charged as the result of the investigation. Felipe T. Castillo, of Eunice, N.M., is charged in a criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm. The charge allegedly arises out of an incident during which Castillo, a convicted felon, pointed a firearm at an officer who was conducting surveillance in connection with the investigation.
Mendivil-Berrelleza and the other six defendants who were arrested yesterday and today as the result of the investigation are scheduled to make their initial appearances in federal court in Roswell, N.M., at 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 3, 2017. One defendant, Miguel Luna-Arredondo, has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.
“This investigation has been a team effort between all agencies involved and it culminated with a safe takedown. Anytime you can take a large amount of narcotics off the streets is a good day,” said Commander Sean Roach of the Lea County Drug Task Force. “I cannot say thank you enough to all of the agencies that participated throughout the investigation. This investigation and arrests will have a major impact on the stream of narcotics coming into the Lea County area as well as the surrounding areas.”
“This investigation is an example of cooperation between local and federal law enforcement to combat the distribution of illegal narcotics within our community,” said Sheriff Byron Wester of the Lea County Sheriff’s Office. “The Lea County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration jointly completed a successful investigation and operation today that attempts to rid our community of illegal narcotics. I thoroughly appreciate their efforts to make our community a safer place.”
Chief Chris McCall of the Hobbs Police Department said, “The Hobbs Police Department was extremely happy to partner with the other agencies involved in this investigation and we appreciate the partnerships. The results of this investigation will undoubtedly slow the flow of drugs into our community and have a positive impact on the safety of our citizens.”
This case was investigated by the DEA and HSI offices in Las Cruces and the Lea County Drug Task Force with assistance from the Lea County Sheriff’s Office and the Hobbs Police Department. In addition, the following law enforcement agencies participated in today’s law enforcement operation: Hobbs Police Department, Jal Police Department, Lovington Police Department, New Mexico State Police, Dona Ana County Sheriff’s Office, IRS Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service and the U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Terri J. Abernathy and Dustin Segovia of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case.
The Lea County Drug Task Force is comprised of officers from the Lea County Sheriff’s Office, Hobbs Police Department, Lovington Police Department, Eunice Police Department the Tatum Police Department and the Jal Police Department, and is part of the NM HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was 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.
Indictment in United States v. Jose Raul Mendivil-Berrelleza, et al., 17-CR-1913
Summary of the Charges
Count 1 of the Indictment charges the eight defendants with participating in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. The statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than ten years nor more than life and a $10 million fine.
Count 2 charges two defendants with participating in an international money laundering conspiracy. The maximum statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is 20 years and a $500,000 fine.
Counts 3 and 4 charge certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than five years or more than 40 years and a $5 million fine.
Count 5 charges certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The statutory penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than ten years or more than life and a $10 million fine.
Count 6 charges certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine. The maximum penalty for a conviction on this count is imprisonment for not less than five years or more than 40 years and a $5 million fine.
Counts 7 through 20 charge certain defendants with using communication facilities to facilitate drug trafficking crimes. The maximum statutory penalty for a conviction on each of these counts is imprisonment for four years and a $250,000 fine.
Charges against Defendants
Jose Raul Mendivil-Berrelleza, 33, a Mexican national residing in Hobbs, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 2, 4-6, 8-14, 16, 18 and 19 of the indictment. Mendivil-Berrelleza was arrested this morning.
Daniel L. Perea, 37, of Hobbs, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 4-8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17 and 20 of the indictment. Perea was arrested this morning.
Jeremy W. Gough, 40, of Hobbs, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 3, 15 and 20 of the indictment. Gough was arrested this morning.
Miguel Angel Luna-Arredondo, 24, a Mexican national, is charged in Counts 1 and 4-6 of the indictment. Luna-Arredondo has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.
Carlos Espinoza-Perez, 27, a Mexican national residing in Hobbs, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 9, 12, 13 and 19 of the indictment. Espinoza-Perez was arrested this morning.
David Torres-Arellanes, 28, a Mexican national residing in Hobbs, N.M., is charged in Counts 1 and 16-18 of the indictment. Torres-Arellanes was arrested this morning.
Roberto Rendon-Duran, 70, of Yuma, Ariz., is charged in Counts 1 and 2 of the indictment. Rendon-Duran was arrested this morning.
Reco Curry, 37, of Hobbs, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 4 and 7 of the indictment. Curry was arrested last night.
Criminal Complaint in United States v. Felipe T. Castillo, 17-MJ-1492
Felipe T. Castillo, 38, of Eunice, N.M., is charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The criminal complaint alleges that Castillo, who has two prior felony convictions, unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on May 31, 2017, in Hobbs, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, on May 31, 2017, Castillo pointed a firearm at a law enforcement officer who was conducting surveillance in connection with this investigation. If convicted, Castillo faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Castillo was arrested on June 13, 2017, and remains in federal custody pending trial.
Charges in indictments and criminal complaints are only accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Mendivil Berrelleza et al IndictmentEl Paso, Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Charges in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Christopher Joshua Cortes, 32, of El Paso, Texas, pled guilty today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to methamphetamine trafficking charges.
Cortes was arrested on April 17, 2017, on an indictment charging him with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from March 13, 2016 through June 6, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on June 6, 2016. According to the indictment, Cortes committed the offenses in Dona Ana County, N.M. The indictment included forfeiture provisions requiring Cortes to forfeit $6,500, the money involved in the drug transaction, to the United States.
During today’s proceedings, Cortes pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that he voluntarily agreed with others to distribute methamphetamine in Dona Ana County from about March 13, 2016 through June 6, 2016. Cortes further admitted distributing approximately 407 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent on June 6, 2016.
At sentencing, Cortes faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Cortes remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clara Cobos of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Ten Years for Federal Narcotics Trafficking and Firearms ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Adam Martinez, 42, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Santa Fe, N.M., to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction on federal narcotics trafficking and firearms charges.
The DEA arrested Martinez on Aug. 24, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute, using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes, and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. According to the complaint, Martinez was arrested after the DEA executed a search warrant at his Albuquerque residence and seized distribution quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, other controlled substances, and two firearms. At the time, Martinez was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of a drug trafficking offense.
On Sept. 13, 2016, Martinez was charged in an eight-count indictment with distributing methamphetamine on Aug. 5, 2016, and possessing distribution quantities of heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and other controlled substances on Aug. 24, 2016. The indictment also charged Martinez with possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities and being a felon in possession of firearms on Aug. 24, 2016. According to the indictment, Martinez committed the crimes in Bernalillo County.
On Feb. 16, 2017, Martinez pled guilty to five counts of the indictment, and admitted distributing methamphetamine on Aug. 5, 2016, and possessing heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute on Aug. 24, 2016. He also admitted possessing firearms in furtherance of his drug trafficking crimes on Aug. 24, 2016.
In entering the guilty plea, Martinez admitted distributing drugs in Albuquerque from Jan. 2016 to Aug. 2016, and that his drug trafficking activities included selling approximately 27.8 grams of cocaine to a person working with law enforcement on Jan. 12, 2016. He also admitted selling drugs to an undercover officer on the following dates: approximately 27.4 grams of cocaine on Jan. 27, 2016; approximately 56.7 grams of methamphetamine on Feb. 5, 2016; and approximately 56.7 grams of methamphetamine on Aug. 5, 2016.
Martinez further admitted that on Aug. 24, 2016, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant on his residence and seized approximately 318 grams of heroin, 149.7 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine, 128 grams of cocaine, 250 tablets (27.59 grams) containing fentanyl, and 43 grams of marijuana. The officers also seized two firearms which were in close proximity to the drugs, and Martinez admitted possessing the firearms for purposes of protecting himself, his drugs, and his drug proceeds.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy S. Vasquez as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic, which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, the Bernalillo County Opioid Accountability Initiative, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.
Tom Begaye, Jr., Pleads Guilty to Murder, Aggravated Sexual Abuse and Kidnapping Charges Arising Out of Abduction and Murder of 11-Year-Old Navajo Child on May 2, 2016Read the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Tom Begaye, Jr., 28, entered a guilty plea this afternoon to a six-count indictment charging him with murder, aggravated sexual abuse and kidnapping offenses arising out of the abduction and murder of an 11-year-old Navajo child on May 2, 2016. Begaye entered the guilty plea under a plea agreement that requires the imposition of a mandatory term of life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
“The Navajo Nation mourned when we learned of the vicious murder of Ashlynne Mike. The Nation has carried this pain ever since. Today, as we learn that her murderer has pleaded guilty to the six charges against him, we have taken one-step forward in healing. We know the pain will be lifelong for Ashlynne’s parents and immediate family,” said President Russell Begaye. “The Navajo Nation is taking every step necessary to strengthen our laws and emergency response communication system. We are furthering the implementation of an Amber Alert System to protect our children from horrendous crimes such as this one. This tragedy reminds us, as Navajo people, that we must adhere to our traditional teachings of K’é and Hozho in respecting each other. We ask our people to continue to love their children, take care of them, and watch them closely. The Navajo Nation will continue to move forward in protecting our children so that no other life is taken in such a tragic manner.”
“Today’s guilty plea, which holds Tom Begaye, Jr., fully accountable for kidnapping, sexually abusing and murdering Ashlynne Mike, and for the trauma he inflicted on her brother, is the result of the strong evidence developed by our law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly on this case to secure justice for the victims,” said Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney. “Although the guilty plea cannot return Ashlynne to her family or relieve their profound sorrow, we hope that the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment that awaits Begaye will bring a measure of solace to the family and some comfort to a community that was shocked to its core by these brutal crimes. Little in life is more emotionally taxing than losing a child to violence, and we commend Ashlynne’s parents for channeling their grief into advocacy to improve the Amber Alert System on the Navajo Nation and other tribal communities in the hope that other families can be spared the heartbreak they have endured.”
“The death of any innocent crime victim is tragic, but when it’s a child, the impact on law enforcement is doubly hard. We hope today’s plea brings justice and some measure of comfort to Ashlynne Mike’s family, friends and the community that came together to express its sorrow after her death,” said Special Agent in Charge Terry Wade of the FBI’s Albuquerque Division. “The FBI thanks the U.S. Attorney's Office and our other partners who worked so hard on this case.”
“This case was very unfortunate, as it startled every community within and outside the Navajo Nation. We remain very emotional and devastated over the loss of a little Navajo child from the Shiprock community. It was especially hard for officers of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety and other public safety agencies from the surrounding areas who responded and worked this case us. To the citizens of Shiprock who responded and assisted us with the search, I thank each and every one of you,” said Director Jesse Delmar of the Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety. “The law enforcement response in this case was exceptional. I praise and thank the core investigators from our Division, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s office for their excellence and hard work in bringing justice to the victims and their family.”
The FBI and Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety arrested Begaye, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation from Waterflow, N.M., on May 4, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging Begaye with kidnapping, sexually abusing and murdering an 11-year-old Navajo child on May 2, 2016, on the Navajo Indian Reservation in San Juan County, N.M. On May 24, 2016, a federal grand jury returned an indictment charging Begaye with six offenses: first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping resulting in death, aggravated sexual abuse resulting in death (two counts), and kidnapping of a minor. According to the indictment, Begaye killed a female child under the age of 12 years by striking her with a tire iron, and caused her death while kidnapping and sexually assaulting her. The indictment also charged Begaye with kidnapping a second victim, a male child under the age of 18 years.
During today’s change of plea hearing, Begaye pled guilty to all six-counts of the indictment. According to the plea agreement, Begaye kidnapped the 11-year-old victim and her nine-year-old brother on May 2, 2016, by tricking the children into getting into his van by offering to drive them to their home. Instead, Begaye drove them to a location near the Shiprock Monument where he led the victim away from the van to an area beyond her brother’s field of view. Begaye sexually assaulted the victim before killing her by strangling her and repeatedly hitting her on the head and face with a tire iron. Begaye then returned to his van, directed the victim’s brother to get out of the van, and drove away, leaving the child behind.
Begaye has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
The FBI and Navajo Nation Division of Public Safety investigated the case with assistance from the FBI Child Abduction Rapid Deployment Team, U.S. Marshals Service, New Mexico State Police, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office and the Farmington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Niki Tapia-Brito and Jennifer M. Rozzoni are prosecuting the case.
The case is being prosecuted under a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Albuquerque Real Estate Broker Sentenced to 27 Months for Federal Bank Fraud ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Yesterday afternoon, Robert O. Moore, 68, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced in federal court for his bank fraud conviction. Moore was sentenced to a 27-month term of imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release. Moore also was ordered to pay $150,535.10 in restitution to the victim of his criminal conduct.
On April 26, 2016, a federal grand jury filed an indictment charging Moore, a licensed real estate broker, with bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. According to the indictment, between April 2014 and Sept. 2014, Moore perpetuated a scheme to defraud a loan and finance business that was involved in real estate closings and settlement out of more than $150,000, and facilitated the scheme by using the identification of another person.
On Nov. 10, 2016, Moore entered a guilty plea to a felony information charging him with bank fraud. In entering the guilty plea, Moore admitted fraudulently transferring the ownership of a house that he was leasing to himself by presenting fraudulent documents to a financial institution so that he could obtain a mortgage against the house. Moore admitted that he used the name of an actual person as the notary public on the warranty deed without authorization.
The case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Jon Ganjei.
Jicarilla Apache Woman Sentenced for Federal Child Abuse ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Audrina Veneno, 23, an enrolled member of the Jicarilla Apache Nation who resides in Dulce, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to fourteen-months of imprisonment prison followed by one year of supervised release for her conviction on a child abuse charge.
Veneno was arrested in March 2015, on an indictment charging her with assaulting the victim, a child under the age of 16 years. The indictment alleged that Veneno committed the crime on Nov. 6, 2014, on the Jicarilla Apache Indian Reservation in Rio Arriba County, N.M.
On July 27, 2017, Veneno pled guilty to an information charging her with child abuse. In entering the guilty plea, Veneno admitted that on Nov. 6, 2014, she recklessly permitted the victim, an eight-month old infant, to be placed in a situation that endangered the victim’s life or health. Veneno further admitted that the victim suffered swelling and bruising to the victim’s face.
This case was investigated by the Farmington office of the FBI and the Jicarilla Apache Tribal Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquel Ruiz-Velez prosecuted the case.
Two More Albuquerque Residents Plead Guilty to Federal Charges Arising Out of ATF-Led Operation Targeting Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crime in Bernalillo CountyRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 104 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. To date, 68 of the 104 defendants charged as the result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas and 30 of them have been sentenced.
Juan Jose Rivas, 33, and Guajira Maya Lovato, 44, both pled guilty yesterday in federal court to methamphetamine trafficking charges. Lovato, who was charged in three indictments filed as the result of the investigation, pled guilty under a plea agreement requiring a five-year prison sentence.
The investigation was undertaken in support of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
One indictment charged Rivas, Lovato and their co-defendants Janet Bowman, 40, and Anthony Barela, 34, with a methamphetamine trafficking offense. The indictment was superseded to add a fifth defendant, Maria Citlaly Beltran-Ahumada, 37, and another methamphetamine trafficking charge. The superseding indictment charged the five defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from June 21, 2016 through Aug. 9, 2016, and with distributing methamphetamine on June 22, 2016.
A second indictment charged Lovato and co-defendant Desiree Otero, 24, with conspiracy to distribute heroin from July 20, 2016 through Aug. 9, 2016 and with distributing heroin on July 20, 2016. A third indictment charged Lovato and co-defendants Daniel Loya, 31, and Richard Cortez, 37, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from July 21, 2016 through Aug. 9, 2016, and with distributing methamphetamine on July 21, 2016.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Rivas pled guilty to an information charging him with distributing methamphetamine, and admitted that on June 22, 2016, he participated in the sale of two ounces of methamphetamine to another individual. At sentencing, Rivas faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Lovato entered a guilty plea in the same case to a methamphetamine distribution charge, and admitted that on June 22, 2016, she communicated with a drug purchaser regarding the price for two ounces of methamphetamine and later helped to complete the transaction. Her sentencing hearing also has yet to be scheduled.
The remaining defendants have entered not guilty pleas. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
These cases were investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF and are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez.
Roswell Man Sentenced to 12 Years for Federal Drug Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joseph Ray Mendiola, 36, of Roswell, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 144 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his conviction on cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking charges. Mendiola was also ordered to forfeit 14 firearms and ammunition.
Mendiola, whose prior criminal history includes two prior methamphetamine trafficking convictions and a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm, was prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Mendiola is one of 41 individuals charged in Sept. 2015, with drug trafficking offenses as a result of an eight-month multi-agency investigation by the FBI, the DEA, Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, Roswell Police Department, Chaves County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police. Twenty-one of the defendants were charged with federal offenses and the remaining 20 with state crimes.
The investigation, which was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, initially targeted a drug trafficking organization (DTO) led by Mendiola, that allegedly distributed methamphetamine in Chaves County. It later expanded to include drug traffickers who allegedly supplied methamphetamine to the Mendiola DTO and other drug traffickers operating in Chaves County. The OCDETF program combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.
Mendiola and 15 other federal defendants were charged in a 24-count indictment filed on Sept. 22, 2015. Count 1 of the Indictment charged 15 of the 16 defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine between June 2015 and July 2015. Count 2 charged three defendants with conspiracy to distribute cocaine in July 2015. Counts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 charged certain defendants with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute in July 2015. Counts 8 through 24 charged certain defendants with using communications devices (telephones) to facilitate drug trafficking crimes. All crimes charged in the federal indictment occurred in Chaves County.
During the course of the investigation, law enforcement officers executed 14 federal search warrants for 10 residences in Roswell, one residence in Dexter, N.M., and three vehicles. During the execution of those search warrants, the officers seized approximately 5600 grams of methamphetamine, $35,960.00 in cash, and multiple firearms including two assault rifles.
On Oct. 18, 2016, Mendiola pled guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Mendiola admitted conspiring with his co-defendants to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine in Chaves County from June 2015 through July 31, 2015. Mendiola also admitted that on July 25, 2015, and July 31, 2015, he and a co-defendant arranged to purchase two pounds of methamphetamine with the intention of distributing it to others.
To date, 13 of Mendiola’s co-defendants have entered guilty pleas and two have been sentenced. Three co-defendants have yet to be arrested and are considered fugitives. Charges in indictments and criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The federal cases were investigated by the Roswell office of FBI’s Albuquerque Division, the Las Cruces office of DEA, Roswell Police Department, Chaves County Sheriff’s Office, the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, the New Mexico State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Randy M. Castellano and John Balla are prosecuting the federal cases.
The HIDTA Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force is comprised of investigators from the Roswell Police Department, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and the Chaves County Sherriff’s Office. The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program was 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.
Mexican National Pleads Guilty to Federal Cocaine Trafficking Charge in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Jose Alfredo Martinez-Salas, 37, a Mexican national, pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to a cocaine trafficking charge.
Martinez-Salas and co-defendants Omar Garcia, 34, of Albuquerque, N.M., and Abraham Andres Rios, 37, a Mexican national, were arrested in Sept. 2016, on a criminal complaint charging them with cocaine and heroin trafficking offenses. According to the complaint, federal agents arrested the three defendants after they attempted to distribute approximately 6.1 kilograms of cocaine and a kilogram of heroin to undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents.
Martinez-Salas and his co-defendants were subsequently charged in a four-count indictment on Oct. 12, 2016. The indictment charged Garcia and Rios with conspiracy and possession of cocaine and heroin with intent to distribute, and Martinez-Salas with distribution of cocaine. According to the indictment, the defendants committed the crimes on Sept. 15, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M.
During today’s proceedings, Martinez-Salas pled guilty to Count 4 of the indictment charging him with distribution of cocaine. In entering the guilty plea, Martinez-Salas admitted that on Sept. 15, 2016, he distributed approximately 3.2 kilograms of cocaine to other individuals. Martinez-Salas admitted picking up a backpack containing the cocaine in Taos, N.M., with the intention of delivering the cocaine to individuals in Albuquerque. Law enforcement officers arrested Martinez-Salas in a restaurant parking lot in northwest Albuquerque after he delivered the cocaine to other individuals.
At sentencing, Martinez-Salas faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
Garcia and Rios have entered pleas of not guilty to the charges in the indictment. Charges in criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusations and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque offices of HSI and DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez is prosecuting the case.
Albuquerque Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm and AmmunitionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Luis Mejia, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 70 months in prison for violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition. Mejia will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Mejia was arrested on Dec. 12, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm on Nov. 29, 2016. According to the complaint, law enforcement officers located a firearm and ammunition on Mejia incident to his arrest after executing a traffic stop on Mejia’s vehicle.
Mejia was subsequently indicted on Dec. 20, 2016, and was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on Nov. 29, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. At the time, Mejia was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his prior felony convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm and possession of a controlled substance. Mejia pled guilty to the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement on April 20, 2017.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Walsh prosecuted the case.
Two Mexican Nationals Facing Federal Drug Trafficking Charges Arising Out of Seizures of Significant Quantities of Cocaine at U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoints in New MexicoRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Yesterday morning, a U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Las Cruces, N.M., found probable cause to support criminal complaints that separately charged Francisco Alberto Guerrero-Rodriguez, 20, and Noe Lucero-Ceniceros, 28, both Mexican nationals, illegally in the United States, with cocaine trafficking offenses. The charges against the two defendant arise out of seizures of large quantities of cocaine at two U.S. Border Patrol checkpoints in southern New Mexico. Guerrero-Rodriguez and Lucero-Ceniceros both were remanded into custody pending their trials, which have yet to be scheduled.
Border Patrol agents arrested Guerrero-Rodriguez on July 20, 2017, after they allegedly seized 8.8 kilograms (19.4 pounds) of cocaine from his vehicle. The cocaine was found during an inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 54 south of Alamogordo, N.M., in Otero County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, the cocaine was contained in seven bundles that were concealed in an “after-market compartment above the gas tank” that was accessed through a trap door under the vehicle’s back seat.
Border Patrol agents arrested Lucero-Ceniceros on July 21, 2017, after they allegedly seized approximately 8.68 kilograms (19.14 pounds) of cocaine from his vehicle. The cocaine was found during an inspection at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 25 near Hatch, N.M., in Dona Ana County, N.M. According to the complaint, the cocaine was found in a concealed compartment that was accessible through a trapdoor that was only accessible after removing the vehicle’s rear passenger compartment.
If convicted of the charges in the criminal complaints, Guerrero-Rodriguez and Lucero-Ceniceros each face a statutory minimum of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison. Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol and the Las Cruces office of the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark A. Saltman is prosecuting the case against Guerrero-Rodriguez, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Dustin C. Segovia is prosecuting the case against Lucero-Ceniceros.
Kewa Pueblo Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Assault ChargeRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Chad L. Lovato, 23, an enrolled member of Kewa Pueblo from Santo Domingo, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to an assault charge. Lovato’s plea agreement recommends a sentence of a year and a day in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Lovato was arrested on Feb. 4, 2017, on a criminal complaint charging him with assaulting three Kewa Pueblo tribal members with a firearm on Jan. 23, 2017, on the Kewa Pueblo in Sandoval County, N.M. According to the complaint, Lovato assaulted the tribal members by brandishing a firearm at them while a tribal official was transporting Lovato to the Governor’s Chambers in Kewa Pueblo. The complaint further alleges that Lovato engaged in a lengthy standoff in the Governor’s Chambers before law enforcement officers were able to take Lovato into custody safely.
During today’s proceedings, Lovato pled guilty to an information charging him with assault with a dangerous weapon. In entering the guilty plea, Lovato admitted that on Jan. 23, 2017, he assaulted a Kewa Pueblo tribal official with a BB gun with intent to do bodily harm. Lovato admitted that he pointed and aimed the BB gun at the victim, and then barricaded himself in the Tribal Governor’s office until he was apprehended by law enforcement. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Southern Pueblos Agency of the BIA’s Office of Justice Services and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisa Dimas.
Convicted Sex Offender from Albuquerque Sentenced to Ten Years for Child Pornography ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Randal Gordon Paul, 48, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced late yesterday afternoon in federal court to 120 months in prison followed by a lifetime of supervised release for his conviction on a federal child pornography charge. Paul also was ordered to pay $1,000 in restitution to victims of Paul’s criminal conduct. Paul will be required to register as a sex offender when he completes his prison sentence.
Paul was arrested on Dec. 2, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with possessing and distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity from June 2015 through Nov. 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, the investigation into Paul began in Nov. 2014, after an email address belonging to Paul, was used to register an account with a website known to show images of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Further investigation revealed that Paul was a registered sex offender with two prior convictions; the first in 1996 for lewd and lascivious acts with a child under 14, and the second in 1998 for aggravated sexual abuse. On Nov. 16, 2016, law enforcement searched Paul’s residence and found a computer containing a video and at least 30 images of child pornography.
On March 7, 2017, Paul pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possessing child pornography between Dec. 2012 and Nov. 2016, in Bernalillo County. In his plea agreement, Paul admitted downloading child pornography from the internet and saving them on electronic devices, including a desktop computer.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI and the New Mexico Regional Computer Forensic Laboratory. Assistant U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin is prosecuting the case as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and DOJ’s Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit http://www.justice.gov/psc/.
Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Prison for Federal Heroin Trafficking ConvictionRead the Press Release
ALBUQUERQUE – Joshua Greene, 19, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced yesterday afternoon in federal court to 87 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for his conviction on heroin trafficking charges. Green also was ordered to forfeit $28,135 in cash, a handgun, and a gold necklace set with 1,728 natural diamonds valued at $11,555 to the United States, and to pay a money judgment in the amount of $28,250.
Greene and co-defendant Kayleb Reyos, 23, of Rio Rancho, N.M., were arrested in May 2016, as the result of a DEA investigation into heroin and methamphetamine trafficking in northwest Albuquerque. The complaint alleges that Greene and Reyos sold an aggregate of 36 ounces (2.25 pounds) of heroin and 3 ounces (.18 pounds) of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement agents during a series of transactions occurring between Feb. 2016 and May 2016. The two men were arrested when the DEA executed a federal search warrant at their residence in northwest Albuquerque. During the search, the DEA seized an additional pound of heroin, bulk amounts of cash, a handgun, and drug paraphernalia.
Greene and Reyos subsequently were charged in a ten-count indictment filed on June 14, 2016. The indictment charged Greene and Reyos with conspiracy to distribute heroin from Feb. 2016 to May 2016. It also charged the two defendants with distributing heroin on Feb. 25, 2016, April 12, 2016, and May 4, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on March 23, 2016. Greene separately was charged with distributing heroin on Feb. 4, 2016, March 9, 2016, and March 22, 2016, and possessing heroin with intent to distribute on May 17, 2016. Reyos separately was also charged with possessing heroin with intent to distribute on May 17, 2016.
On April 11, 2017, Greene pled guilty to a felony information charging him with conspiracy and distribution of heroin. In entering the guilty plea, Green admitted that from Feb. 4, 2016 through May 17, 2016 he directed a small-scale drug trafficking organization in northwest Albuquerque. Greene further admitted that on March 22, 2016, he sold approximately 135.1 grams of heroin to an undercover law enforcement agent.
On May 23, 2017, Reyos pled guilty to a felony information charging him with conspiracy and distribution of heroin. In entering the guilty plea, Reyos admitted that from Feb. 4, 2016 through May 17, 2016, he was part of a small-scale drug trafficking organization that operated in northwest Albuquerque. Reyos admitted that on April 12, 2016, he drove Greene to a parking lot in Albuquerque, where Greene sold approximately 423.8 grams of heroin to an undercover law enforcement agent. Reyos faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Reyos is scheduled to be sentenced on Aug. 25, 2017, in Albuquerque.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristopher Houghton and Alexander Uballez are prosecuting the case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative. The HOPE Initiative was launched in January 2015 by the UNM Health Sciences Center and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in response to the national opioid epidemic which has had a disproportionately devastating impact on New Mexico. Opioid addiction has taken a toll on public safety, public health and the economic viability of our communities. Working in partnership with the DEA, Bernalillo County Commissioner Maggie Hart Stebbins, Albuquerque City Councilor Diane Gibson, Healing Addiction in our Community (HAC), the Albuquerque Public Schools and other community stakeholders, HOPE’s principal goals are to protect our communities from the dangers associated with heroin and opioid painkillers and reducing the number of opioid-related deaths in New Mexico.
The HOPE Initiative is comprised of five components: (1) prevention and education; (2) treatment; (3) law enforcement; (4) reentry; and (5) strategic planning. HOPE’s law enforcement component is led by the Organized Crime Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the DEA in conjunction with their federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement partners. Targeting members of major heroin and opioid trafficking organizations for investigation and prosecution is a priority of the HOPE Initiative. Learn more about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.