Carlsbad Felon Sentenced to Ten Years for Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Eddie Leo Wyatt, 55, of Carlsbad, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.

Wyatt, whose criminal history includes four prior felony convictions for drug related offenses, was prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution.  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 for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

Wyatt was arrested on Oct. 22, 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with distributing methamphetamine in Chaves County, N.M.  According to the complaint, Wyatt sold an aggregate of 213 grams of pure methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement agents during five transactions taking place between March 20, 2013 and June 13, 2013.

Wyatt was subsequently charged in a five-count indictment on Jan. 14, 2015, with distributing methamphetamine on March 26, 2013, April 2, 2013, April 9, 2013, April 23, 2013, and June 13, 2013.  According to the indictment, Wyatt committed the five crimes in Chaves County.

On Sept. 11, 2015, Wyatt pled guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine.  In entering the guilty plea, Wyatt admitted selling 58.9 grams of methamphetamine on April 9, 2013.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI and the New Mexico State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa A. Ong of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office prosecuted the case.