Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Seven Years for Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Jude Schulte, 25, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to seven years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.  Schulte’s conviction was based on his June 24, 2014 guilty plea to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

Schulte and co-defendants Greg Cotinola, 49, and Erik Samuel Parra Arambula, 25, both of Albuquerque, were arrested in Nov. 2013, on methamphetamine trafficking charges.  Cotinola was also charged with violating the federal firearms laws. 

Schulte, Cotinola and Arambula subsequently were indicted on Dec. 4, 2013.  The indictment charged Cotinola with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Cotinola was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.  Records reveal that Cotinola’s numerous felony convictions included convictions for drug trafficking, attempted kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment.  The indictment also charged Arambula and Schulte with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine, and Arambula with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  The crimes charged in the indictment took place on Nov. 7, 2013, in Bernalillo County, N.M.

On April 18, 2014, Cotinola pled guilty to Count 1 of the indictment charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Cotinola was sentenced on Feb. 18, 2015, to 12 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.

On April 23, 2015, Arambula pled guilty to a felony information charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine.  Arambula admitted traveling to Arizona on Nov. 7, 2013, to meet with a source of supply who provided him with two pounds of methamphetamine.  Arambula intended to deliver the methamphetamine to another individual for further distribution.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, Arambula will be sentenced to no more than 72 months in prison.  A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque offices of the DEA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Joel R. Meyers is prosecuting the case.