Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Firearms and Drug Trafficking Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – Jeffrey Burlingame, 59, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to violating the federal firearms and drug trafficking laws.

Burlingame was arrested in Feb. 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The complaint alleged that Burlingame committed the crime on Feb. 24, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M.  According to the complaint, on that day, law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at the Albuquerque residence of another person.  The agents seized methamphetamine, cash, firearms, ammunition and drug paraphernalia from Burlingame, who was present at the time the search warrant was executed.

Burlingame was indicted on March 23, 2016, and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on Feb. 24, 2016, in Bernalillo County.

During today’s proceedings, Burlingame pled guilty to carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  In entering the guilty plea, Burlingame admitted that on Feb. 24, 2016, he was in possession of 450.55 grams of pure methamphetamine and a firearm and ammunition when law enforcement agents executed a search warrant at a residence in Albuquerque.

At sentencing, Burlingame faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the methamphetamine charge.  He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of life in prison on the firearms charge which must run consecutive to the sentence imposed on the methamphetamine charge.  Burlingame remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez is prosecuting the case.