Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Michael Stewart, 56, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty today in federal court to a methamphetamine trafficking charge.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, Stewart will be sentenced to 135 months in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Stewart, whose lengthy criminal history includes felony convictions for cocaine and methamphetamine trafficking, robbery, kidnapping and theft, is being prosecuted as part of the federal “worst of the worst” anti-violence initiative.  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 felony convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.  Because New Mexico’s violent crime rates, on a per capita basis, are amongst the highest in the nation, New Mexico’s law enforcement community is collaborating to target repeat offenders from counties with the highest violent crime rates, including Bernalillo County, under this initiative.

Stewart was arrested on Feb. 19, 2015, after DEA task force officers seized 611.9 gross grams of methamphetamine and more than $24,000.00 in cash from him and his vehicle during a traffic stop in northwest Albuquerque. Stewart was subsequently indicted on the same charge on March 10, 2015. 

The indictment also included forfeiture allegations requiring Stewart to forfeit $25,370.00 to the United States.  The court previously entered an order in a related civil proceeding forfeiting the cash to the United States.

During today’s change of plea hearing, Stewart pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on Feb. 18, 2015, he was in possession of 543.3 grams of actual methamphetamine which he intended to distribute to others.  Stewart remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

 This case was investigated by the Albuquerque offices of the DEA and Homeland Security Investigations and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shana B. Long.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephen R. Kotz handled the civil forfeiture proceedings.