ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the ATF concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 103 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses.  To date, 82 of these defendants have been convicted, including 81 who have entered guilty pleas, and 54 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.

 

Last week, two more Albuquerque residents entered guilty pleas.  On Dec. 15, 2017, Daniel Carmona, 31, pled guilty to violating federal firearms laws by using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, Carmona will be sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.  Also on Dec. 15, 2017, in a separate case, Patrick Zamora, 22, pled guilty to a methamphetamine trafficking charge.

 

This week two other Albuquerque residents were sentenced for their convictions on drug trafficking and firearms charges.  Keith Thompson, 49, was sentenced on Dec. 19, 2017, to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distributing heroin, and Alex Villarreal, 35, was sentenced on Dec. 19, 2017, to 66 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of firearms and distributing methamphetamine.

 

Carmona was charged in a criminal complaint with distributing methamphetamine on Aug. 3, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M., after he sold approximately 67 grams of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement agents.  Thereafter, on Aug. 9, 2016, Carmona and co-defendants Luis Arreola-Palma, 24, and Gaspar Leal, 47, were indicted and charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from July 21, 2016 through July 25, 2016.  Carmona also was charged with distributing methamphetamine on July 25, 2016 and Aug. 3, 2016, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on Aug. 3, 2016.  On Dec. 15, 2017, Carmona pled guilty to carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and admitted that on Aug. 3, 2016, he carried a firearm when he delivered approximately 55.3 actual grams of methamphetamine to another individual.  Arreola-Palma pled guilty on July 28, 2017, and was sentenced on Oct. 26, 2017, to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Leal has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in this case and is pending trial.   

 

Zamora was charged by criminal complaint with distributing approximately 116.8 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent on June 20, 2016, in Bernalillo County.  Zamora’s co-defendants Noe Urias and co-defendant Angelica Marie Santiesteban, 40, were charged in a four-count indictment filed on June 30, 2016, with methamphetamine trafficking offenses.  The indictment was superseded on July 28, 2016, to include Zamora and an additional methamphetamine trafficking charge.  The superseding indictment charged all three defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 2, 2016 through June 20, 2016, and distribution of methamphetamine on June 20, 2016; Urias and Santiesteban with distribution of methamphetamine on May 2, 2016 and May 19, 2016; and Urias with distribution of methamphetamine on May 18, 2016.  On Dec. 15, 2017, Zamora pled guilty to a felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine, and admitted that on June 20, 2016, he sold methamphetamine to another individual in exchange for money.  At sentencing, Zamora faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  Urias pled guilty on March 9, 2017, and was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on Dec. 6, 2017.  Santiesteban pled guilty on Dec. 8, 2016, and was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on June 27, 2017. 

 

Thompson and his co-defendant Matthew Sandoval, 38, were arrested in July 2016, and charged in a two-count indictment with distributing heroin on May 9, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on May 19, 2016.  Thompson entered a guilty plea on June 29, 2017 and Sandoval entered a guilty plea on June 30, 2017, to heroin trafficking charges.  In entering their guilty pleas, Thompson and Sandoval both admitted that on May 9, 2016, they sold heroin to another individual.  Sandoval was sentenced on Oct. 19, 2017, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

 

Villarreal was arrested in July 2016, on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on May 23, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on May 25, 2016.  At the time, Villarreal was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was previously convicted on larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and aggravated assault.  On Aug. 18, 2017, Villarreal pled guilty to the indictment and admitted selling four firearms to an undercover law enforcement agent on May 23, 2016, and 115 grams of methamphetamine to the agent on May 25, 2016.  Villarreal acknowledged knowing that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon. 

 

Seventeen of the defendants charged as the result of the ATF investigation have entered not guilty pleas.  Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.   Two defendants are fugitives and the charges against two defendants have been dismissed.

 

These cases were investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF.  The case against Carmona is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Norman Cairns and Samuel A. Hurtado.  The case against Zamora is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han.  The case against Thompson was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado, and the case against Villarreal was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez.

ALBUQUERQUE – A federal jury sitting in Albuquerque, N.M., returned a verdict yesterday afternoon finding Gaspar Leal, 47, guilty of participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy after a three-day trial, announced Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and Special Agent in Charge John J. Durastanti of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

 

In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the ATF concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 103 Bernalillo County residents, including Leal, with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses.  To date, 81 of the 103 defendants charged as the result of this investigation have been convicted, including 80 who have pleaded guilty, and 52 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, in addition to the guilty verdict against Leal, two other Albuquerque residents were sentenced for their convictions on federal firearms and drug trafficking offenses. 

 

Guilty Verdict in Trial against Gaspar Leal

 

Leal and co-defendants Candace Tapia, 23, Bernadette Aurora Tapia, 49, and Brandon Candelaria, 22, were charged by indictment on July 12, 2016, with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine on June 8, 2016, in Bernalillo County.  Bernadette Aurora Tapia pled guilty on Dec. 13, 2016, and was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on April 7, 2017.  Candace Tapia pled guilty on June 1, 2017, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on Oct. 3, 2017.  The charges against Candelaria were dismissed on July 18, 2017.

 

Trial against Leal on the two-count indictment commenced on Dec. 4, 2017, and concluded the afternoon of Dec. 6, 2017, when the jury convicted Leal on Count 1, charging Leal with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and acquitting him on Count 2, charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The evidence at trial established that in May and June 2016, Leal facilitated the sale of approximately 59.2 grams of methamphetamine to an individual working with the ATF.  The jury deliberated approximately three-and-a-half hours before returning its verdict.

 

At sentencing, Leal faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.  Leal has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. 

 

United States v. Noe Urias, et al.

 

Noe Urias and co-defendant Angelica Marie Santiesteban, 40, were charged in a four-count indictment filed on June 30, 2016, with methamphetamine trafficking offenses.  The indictment was superseded on July 28, 2016, to include Patrick Zamora, 22, and an additional methamphetamine trafficking charge.  The superseding indictment charged all three defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 2, 2016 through June 20, 2016, and distribution of methamphetamine on June 20, 2016; Urias and Santiesteban with distribution of methamphetamine on May 2, 2016 and May 19, 2016; and Urias with distribution of methamphetamine on May 18, 2016. 

 

On March 9, 2017, Urias pled guilty to Count 3 of the superseding indictment charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and admitted that on May 18, 2016, he sold methamphetamine in exchange for money.  Santiesteban pled guilty on Dec. 8, 2016, and was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on June 27, 2017. 

 

Noe Urias, 35, was sentenced on Dec. 6, 2017, to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction. 

 

Zamora has entered a plea of not guilty and is pending trial.

 

United States v. Jorge Chacon

 

Jorge Chacon was charged in a seven-count indictment filed on June 30, 2016, with drug trafficking and firearms offenses.  Chacon was charged with distributing methamphetamine and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on May 16, 2016; being a felon in possession of a firearm on May 16, 2016, May 19, 2016, and twice on May 26, 2016; and possession a firearm with an obliterated serial number on May 26, 2016.  According to the indictment, Chacon was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously been convicted of burglary, aggravated battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. 

 

On Feb. 13, 2017, Chacon pled guilty to Count 2 of the indictment charging him with carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and admitted that on May 16, 2016, he possessed a firearm during the sale of methamphetamine.  Chacon, 34, was sentenced on Dec. 6, 2017, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

 

 

Nineteen of the defendants charged as the result of the ATF investigation have entered not guilty pleas or have been found guilty to the charges against them.  Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.   Two defendants are fugitives and the charges against two defendants have been dismissed.

 

These cases were investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF.  The case against Leal is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel A. Hurtado and Kimberly A. Brawley.  The case against Urias is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han.  The case against Chacon was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Cairns.

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, 61 of the 104 defendants charged as the result of this investigation have entered guilty pleas and 26 of them have been sentenced. The following seven defendants were sentenced in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., this week:



Maria Citlaly Beltran-Ahumada, 37, a Mexican national illegally residing in Albuquerque was sentenced on June 26, 2017, on an illegal reentry charge to a term of time-served and is pending deportation;





Julian Brown, 22, was sentenced on June 27, 2017, to 30 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for possessing an unregistered firearm;





Francisco Garcia, 20, was sentenced on June 27, 2017, to 60 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime;





Inkosi Grandberry, 35, was sentenced on June 28, 2017, to 60 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime;





Angelica Marie Santiesteban, 40, was sentenced on June 28, 2017, to 63 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine;





Johnny Flores, 23, was sentenced on June 28, 2017, to 24 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine; and





Manuel Boydston, 36, was sentenced yesterday to 60 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for distributing methamphetamine.



 

In addition, Keith Thompson, 48, pled guilty yesterday and his co-defendant Matthew Sandoval, 38, pled guilty today to heroin trafficking charges. Thompson’s plea agreement recommends a sentence of 70 months in prison, and Sandoval’s plea agreement recommends a maximum sentence of 84 months in prison.

 

These nine defendants were amongst the 104 who were charged as the result of the investigation that began in mid-April 2016, when ATF personnel from throughout the country joined forces with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies in New Mexico to combat the high rate of violent crime in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The investigators utilized a number of investigative techniques, including undercover operations, historical investigation and targeting of multi-convicted felons in possession of firearms.

 

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.

 

Beltran-Ahumada’s co-defendants Guajira Maya Lovato, 44, Janet Bowman, 40, Anthony Barela, 34, and Juan Jose Rivas, 32, were charged by indictment on July 28, 2016, with distributing methamphetamine. The indictment was superseded on Aug. 9, 2016, to add Beltran-Ahumada as a defendant and an additional conspiracy charge. The superseding indictment charged the five defendants with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from June 21, 2016 through Aug. 9, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on June 22, 2016. Beltran-Ahumada pled guilty on June 9, 2017, to an information charging her with illegal reentry of a removed alien, and admitted that she was found to be illegally in Bernalillo County on Aug. 9, 2016, after being deported from the United States on Nov. 8, 2003.

 

Brown was arrested on Aug. 10, 2016, on an indictment charging him with distributing heroin and possessing a firearm not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR). According to the indictment, committed the offenses on July 11, 2016, in Bernalillo County. On Feb. 1, 2017, pled guilty to Count 2 of the indictment charging him with possessing an unregistered firearm. In entering the guilty plea, admitted that on July 11, 2016, he possessed and sold a weapon made from a shotgun not registered to him in the NFRTR.

 

Garcia was arrested on July 8, 2016, and was charged by indictment with firearms and drug trafficking offenses. The indictment was subsequently superseded on July 28, 2016, and charged Garcia with distributing methamphetamine on May 10, 2016 and May 12, 2016, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. On Jan. 6, 2017, Garcia pled guilty to using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and admitted that on May 12, 2016, he possessed a firearm during the sale of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent. Garcia further admitted carrying the firearm for protection and to assist him in his drug trafficking crimes.

 

Grandberry was arrested on July 6, 2016, on a six-count indictment charging him with distributing heroin on April 28, 2016 and April 29, 2016; being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition on April 28, 2016, May 4, 2016 and May 12, 2016; and possessing a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on April 28, 2016. According to the indictment, Grandberry was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of a previous felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance. On Nov. 2, 2016, Grandberry pled guilty to Count 3 of the indictment charging him with possessing and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and admitted that on April 28, 2016, he was in possession of a pistol loaded

with ammunition while conducting a heroin transaction.

 

Santiesteban and co-defendant Noe Urias, 36, were charged in a four-count indictment filed on June 30, 2016, with methamphetamine trafficking offenses. The indictment was superseded on July 28, 2016, to add Patrick Zamora, 22, and another methamphetamine trafficking charge. The superseding indictment charged the three defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 2, 2016 through June 20, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on June 20, 2016; Urias and Santiesteban with distributing methamphetamine on May 2, 2016 and May 19, 2016; and Urias with distributing methamphetamine on May 18, 2016. According to the superseding indictment, the defendants committed offenses in Bernalillo County. On Dec. 8, 2016, Santiesteban pled guilty to Count 5 of the superseding indictment charging her with distributing methamphetamine and admitted that on June 20, 2016, she sold approximately 116.8 grams of methamphetamine in exchange for money.

 

Flores and his co-defendant Josue Duarte, 31, were charged in a four-count indictment filed on Aug. 9, 2016, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from July 18, 2016 through July 26, 2016, and distribution of methamphetamine on July 22, 2016; Flores with distribution of methamphetamine on July 18, 2016; and Duarte with distribution of methamphetamine on July 26, 2016. On Dec. 6, 2016, Flores pled guilty a felony information charging him with distributing methamphetamine, and admitted that on July 18, 2016, he acted as a medium to facilitate a methamphetamine transaction in exchange for money.

 

Boydston and his co-defendant Thomas Montoya, 40, were charged in a three-count indictment filed on June 30, 2016. The indictment charged Montoya with distribution of methamphetamine on June 6, 2016, and Montoya and Boydston with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine on June 14, 2016. On Feb. 6, 2017, Boydston pled guilty to Count 3 of the indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine, and admitted that on June 14, 2016, he sold approximately 118 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent.

 

Thompson and Sandoval were arrested in July 2016, and charged in a two-count indictment with distributing heroin on May 9, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on May 19, 2016. Thompson entered a guilty plea yesterday and Sandoval entered a guilty plea today to heroin trafficking charges. In entering their guilty pleas, Thompson and Sandoval both admitted that on May 9, 2016, they sold heroin to another individual. They remain in custody pending sentencing hearings, which have 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez is prosecuting the cases against Beltran-Ahumada and Boydston; Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han prosecuted the cases against Brown and Santiesteban; Assistant U.S. Attorney Rumaldo R. Armijo prosecuted the case against Garcia; Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Walsh and Norman Cairns prosecuted the case against Grandberry; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers prosecuted the case against Flores. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case against Thompson and Sandoval.

ALBUQUERQUE – Noe Urias, 36, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to a methamphetamine trafficking charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

 

Urias and his codefendants Angelica Marie Santiesteban, 40, and Patrick Zamora, 22, were arrested during an ATF-led investigation that resulted in the filing of 59 federal indictments and one federal criminal complaint charging 104 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. The investigation began in mid-April 2016, when ATF personnel from throughout the country joined forces with federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies in New Mexico to combat the high rate of violent crime in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. The investigators utilized a number of investigative techniques, including undercover operations, historical investigation and targeting of multi-convicted felons in possession of firearms.

 

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.

 

Urias and Santiesteban were charged in a four-count indictment filed on June 30, 2016, with methamphetamine trafficking offenses. The indictment was superseded on July 28, 2016, to include Zamora and an additional methamphetamine trafficking charge. The superseding indictment charged all three codefendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 2, 2016 through June 20, 2016, and distribution of methamphetamine on June 20, 2016; Urias and Santiesteban with distribution of methamphetamine on May 2, 2016 and May 19, 2016; and Urias with distribution of methamphetamine on May 18, 2016. According to the superseding indictment, the offenses took place in Bernalillo County.

 

During today’s proceedings, Urias pled guilty to Count 3 of the superseding indictment charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and admitted that on May 18, 2016, he sold methamphetamine in exchange for money. At sentencing, Urias faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

 

To date, 30 of the 104 defendants have entered guilty pleas including Santiesteban and three have been sentenced. 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.

 

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han.