Albuquerque Felon Charged with Unlawful Possession of Firearm and Ammunition

ALBUQUERQUE – Albert Pulido, 29, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance today in federal court on a criminal complaint charging him with violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.  Pulido remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled for tomorrow.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested Pulido this morning on a criminal complaint charging him with unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition on Sept. 7, 2017, in Bernalillo County, N.M.  The criminal complaint alleges that on that date, officers of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) arrested Pulido on state charges after observing Pulido exit a vacant, yellow-tagged residence, that no was permitted to enter.  During a search incident to arrest, the officers allegedly found that Pulido was in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to the criminal complaint, on Sept. 7, 2017, Pulido was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of numerous felony offenses, including convictions for receiving and transferring a stolen vehicle, residential burglary, possession of a controlled substance, embezzlement, and child abuse.

The related state charges against Pulido will be dismissed in favor of federal prosecution.

If convicted of the crime charged in the criminal complaint, Pulido faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are mere 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 APD, with assistance from the 2^nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Trembley is prosecuting the case 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.