Man from Los Lunas pleads guilty to federal gun charge

ALBUQERQUE, N.M. – Diego Fernandez, 23, of Los Lunas, New Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court on March 7 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Fernandez was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2021. According to the plea agreement and other court records, on April 7, 2021, as law enforcement attempted to execute a traffic stop, Fernandez attempted to flee, driving recklessly and towards oncoming traffic in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Shortly after, law enforcement located Fernandez with the assistance of air support and apprehended him as he tried to escape on foot.

At the time of the arrest, Fernandez possessed a loaded firearm. As a convicted felon, Fernandez could not legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

Fernandez faces up to 10 years in prison.

The FBI’s Albuquerque Violent Crime and Gang Task Force (VCGTF) investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case.