Mexican National Sentenced to Six Years for Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Conviction

ALBUQUERQUE – Juan Carlos Nieblas-Ruelas, 28, a Mexican national illegally residing in the United States, was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 72 months in prison for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction.  Nieblas-Ruelas will be deported after he completes his prison sentence.

Nieblas-Ruelas and co-defendant Massiel Segoviano-Fierro, 25, also a Mexican national illegally residing in the United States, were arrested in Nov. 2015, and were charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Nov. 23, 2015, in Bernalillo Country N.M.  The two men were arrested after the two men attempted to sell approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent. 

On Jan. 22, 2016, Nieblas-Ruelas pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  In entering the guilty plea, Nieblas-Ruelas admitted that on Nov. 23, 2015, he provided methamphetamine to Segoviano-Fierro knowing that Segoviano-Fierro intended to sell it to another person. 

On Feb. 22, 2016, Segoviano-Fierro pled guilty to a similar felony information and admitted that on Nov. 23, 2015, in Bernalillo County, he attempted to sell methamphetamine to an individual who unbeknownst to him was an undercover law enforcement agent.  Segoviano-Fierro further admitted that he collaborated with Nieblas-Ruelas to obtain approximately ten pounds of methamphetamine to sell and distribute in Albuquerque.

At sentencing, Segoviano-Fierro faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and will be deported following his term of incarceration.  Segoviano-Fierro remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of Homeland Security Investigations and the New Mexico State Police and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Walsh.