Man from Farmington, New Mexico pleads guilty to firearm possession in federal court

           ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Rafael Almeida, 42, of Farmington, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court in Albuquerque on May 20 to possessing a firearm during a drug trafficking crime.

           In Almeida’s plea agreement, he admitted committing this offense in Farmington, New Mexico on Nov. 5, 2019. Almeida possessed bags of methamphetamine while riding in a truck to a hotel.  Almeida kept the drugs within reach between the passenger seat and center console.  The drugs were individually packaged and Almeida intended to sell them.  Almeida kept a loaded pistol on top of the drugs for his protection while trafficking these drugs.

            Almeida is currently in custody awaiting sentencing. He faces from five years to life in prison for this offense.

           The FBI investigated this case with the New Mexico Region II Narcotics Task Force, including members of the Farmington Police Department and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.