Albuquerque man facing charges under Operation Legend for firearms possession and assaulting a federal officer

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Guillermo Medel, 38, of Albuquerque made an appearance in federal court today on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and assaulting and resisting a federal officer. Medel will remain in custody pending trial.

            According to a federal criminal complaint, on Aug. 25, Medel allegedly assaulted a federal agent while attempting to avoid arrest. At the time of the arrest, Medel allegedly possessed a firearm. Medel previously was convicted of possession of a machine gun and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Medel cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

            If convicted, Medel faces up to eight years in prison for assaulting and resisting a federal officer and up to 10 years for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

            A criminal complaint is only an accusation.  A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

            The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case in conjunction with the U.S. Marshals Service and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah J. Mease is prosecuting the case as part of Operation Legend, a Department of Justice initiative to assist cities with persistently high crime rates.  Operation Legend is a sustained and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with state and local law enforcement to prosecute gun and dangerous crimes arising in the City of Albuquerque.