Las Cruces Man Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine Trafficking Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Agustin Abascal, 28, of Las Cruces, N.M., was sentenced this morning in Las Cruces federal court to 10 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction. 

The sentence was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough, Special Agent in Charge Joseph M. Arabit of the El Paso Division of the DEA, Special Agent in Charge Bobby Holden of the Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency and New Mexico State Police Chief Pete N. Kassetas.

Abascal and Mark Anthony Harriman, 45, also of Las Cruces, were arrested in April 2013, based on a criminal complaint charging them with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Doña Ana County, N.M., between Nov. 2012 and March 2013.  According to the complaint, Harriman and Abascal sold quantities of methamphetamine to a New Mexico State Police officer and a DEA informant who were acting in undercover capacities during the five month period.  Both men have been in federal custody since their arrests.

Abascal entered a guilty plea in July 2013, to a one-count felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine.  In his plea agreement, Abascal admitted selling methamphetamine to an undercover officer on five separate occasions between Nov. 1, 2012 and March 7, 2013.

Harriman pled guilty in July 2013 to a two-count felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm.  Harriman admitted that between Feb. 6, 2013 and March 14, 2013, he obtained methamphetamine from California and sold it in Las Cruces.  He also admitted selling an ounce of methamphetamine to an informant on Feb. 26, 2013.  Harriman further admitted that he was returning to Las Cruces from California with two ounces of methamphetamine when he was arrested in this case. 

Harriman also admitted that, when federal agents executed a search warrant at his residence, they seized nine firearms and large amounts of ammunition that belonged to him.  Harriman acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously was convicted of two felony offenses.

On October 29, 2013, Harriman was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison followed by five years of supervised release.  Harriman also was ordered to forfeit the firearms and more than 1000 rounds of ammunition seized from his residence in addition to $13,940 in cash.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the DEA, the Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency and the New Mexico State Police, and was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee L. Camacho of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.