Previously convicted felon pleads guilty to firearms possession

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Richard “Sky” Kuykendall, 42, of Albuquerque, pleaded guilty today in federal court to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Kuykendall will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.

A federal grand jury indicted Kuykendall on June 9, 2021. According to the plea agreement and other court records, on May 12, 2021, Kuykendall was present at the scene of a gun fight in Albuquerque. After that gun fight, Kuykendall possessed a Beretta 9mm pistol.

Prior to the offense, Kuykendall, who is originally from Gloucester, Massachusetts, had been convicted of larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, receiving or transferring a stolen motor vehicle, unlawful taking of a vehicle, forgery and identity theft. As a previously convicted felon, Kuykendall cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

By the terms of the plea agreement, Kuykendall faces 18 months in prison.

The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and Samuel Hurtado are prosecuting the case.

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