ALBUQUERQUE -- United States Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales announced that, this morning, United States District Judge Judith C. Herrera sentenced Alex Lawrence Romero, 31, a resident of Las Vegas, New Mexico, to a ten-year term of imprisonment based on his federal narcotics and firearms conviction. After completing his prison sentence, Romero will be on supervised release for four years.

Romero was arrested on April 19, 2010 based on a ten-count indictment charging him with: Count 1, possession of more than 500 grams of cocaine with intent to distribute; Counts 2 through 4, possession of more than 5 grams of crack cocaine with intent to distribute; Counts 5 and 6, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; Counts 7 and 8, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; and Counts 9 and 10, possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking offenses. Romero has been in custody since his arrest.

On January 14, 2011, Romero entered a guilty plea to Counts 1 and 9 of the indictment under a plea agreement with the United States Attorney's Office. In his plea agreement, Romero admitted that on December 30, 2009, he possessed 589.5 grams of cocaine in his Las Vegas, New Mexico residence and that he intended to sell that cocaine to make an illegal profit. Romero also admitted to possessing numerous operable guns in his residence. As part of his plea deal, Romero agreed to forfeit the 17 firearms seized from his residence. Romero also agreed to forfeit his 2002 Nissan vehicle and $3,071 in cash that were proceeds of his illegal narcotics trafficking.

Judge Herrera dismissed the remaining counts of the indictment at the conclusion of Romero's sentencing hearing.

Assistant United States Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado prosecuted this case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

(Download Plea Agreement )
(Download Indictment )

 

 

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