Jury convicts Las Cruces man on federal firearm violation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, announced that a federal jury on Dec. 12 returned a guilty verdict on Derris Deshune Carpenter. The jury convicted Carpenter, 40, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On April 29, Carpenter was travelling on Interstate 25 north of Las Cruces when he approached a Border Patrol checkpoint. Before reaching the checkpoint, Carpenter turned around in an area that was not designated for turning, and proceeded south. U.S. Border Patrol Agents pursued Carpenter and stopped him. Inside the vehicle’s glove compartment, agents located a 9mm handgun.

At the time, Carpenter had previously been convicted of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance in 2011. As a previously convicted felon, Carpenter cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.

Carpenter will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. He faces up to 10 years in prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol. Assistant United States Attorneys Randy M. Castellano and Christopher McNair are prosecuting the case.

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