Albuquerque Man Sentenced for Drug Trafficking

ALBUQUERQUE – A federal judge handed down a 14-year prison sentence to an Albuquerque man who was caught with more than 19 pounds of fentanyl in a hotel room.

According to publicly available court records, on October 26, 2022, officers from the Bureau of Indian Affairs intercepted a load of fentanyl destined for Albuquerque during a routine traffic stop. The driver agreed to engage in a “controlled delivery” to an individual in a Walmart parking lot in Albuquerque. Law enforcement staged around the area and observed a vehicle driven by Eric Jaramillo, 33, arrive at the designated time. Before law enforcement could immobilize the vehicle, Jaramillo drove away. Law enforcement pursued Jaramillo, who jumped out of the vehicle and fled into a water diversion tunnel.

Agents from Homeland Security Investigations discovered Jaramillo had an outstanding warrant from Arizona, so they began scouring the city for him. Several weeks later, on November 14, 2022, agents located Jaramillo at a Best Western Hotel in Albuquerque. The following day, law enforcement staged around the area. When he exited his hotel room, Jaramillo attempted to flee, but was captured when he impaled his leg on a wrought iron fence. A subsequent search of his hotel room located 8.7 kilograms -- or 19.2 pounds – of fentanyl and two firearms.

Jaramillo pled guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams and more of fentanyl. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Eric McLoughlin, Acting Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations - El Paso, made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Spindle prosecuted the case.

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