Albuquerque Man Charged with Federal Firearms Offense

ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man was charged by indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Arthur Steven Stewart, 23, appeared before a federal judge today and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to the indictment, on January 24, 2024, Stewart possessed a firearm and ammunition, knowing that he had been convicted of robbery. As a previously convicted felon, Stewart knew that he was prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition.

If convicted of the current charges, Stewart faces up to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Haynes is prosecuting this case as part of an agreement with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Through the agreement, Assistant District Attorneys are designated Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) in the United States Attorney’s Office. The SAUSA from the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office screens felony criminal complaints filed in Bernalillo County for federal criminal offenses, prioritizing federal charges against those who drive violence in the Albuquerque metropolitan area. Since 2020, the United States Attorney’s Office has reviewed almost 3,000 cases and has charged more than 300 criminal cases pursuant to this program.

The United States Attorney’s Office has similar agreements with the New Mexico Department of Justice and the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office and plans to expand the program throughout the state.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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