Deming Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Marijuana Trafficking Charge

ALBUQUERQUE – Crispin Fierro, 32, of Deming, N.M., pleaded guilty yesterday afternoon in Las Cruces federal court to a marijuana trafficking charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Fierro initially was charged based on a criminal complaint alleging that he possessed 456 kilograms (1004.5 pounds) of marijuana with intent to distribute in Luna County, N.M., on March 4, 2013.  Fierro subsequently was indicted on that same charge.

During yesterday’s proceedings, Fierro pleaded guilty to the indictment and admitted that on March 4, 2013, he possessed approximately 456 gross kilograms of marijuana which he intended to deliver to another person.  In his plea agreement, Fierro acknowledged that he was the driver and sole occupant of a flatbed truck in which he was transporting the marijuana.  Fierro further admitted that the marijuana was found by U.S. Border Patrol agents when they pulled him over on New Mexico State Highway 9 in Luna County.

Fierro has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.  At sentencing, Fierro faces a federal prison sentence of not less than five years and not more than 40 years.

This case was investigated by the Deming office of Homeland Security Investigations and the Deming Station, El Paso Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Shaheen P. Torgoley of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.