Prior Felon from Albuquerque Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Firearms Laws – Defendant Prosecuted Under Federal "Worst of the Worst" Anti-Violence Initiative

ALBUQUERQUE – Nicholas Richard Blume, 36, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty this morning to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. 

Blume was arrested in Feb. 2014, on a criminal complaint alleging that he unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on Feb. 10, 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M.  Blume subsequently was indicted on that same charge on March 11, 2014.  According to court filings, Blume was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition in Feb. 2014, because he previously had been convicted of receiving and transferring a stolen motor vehicle, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm, extortion, possession of an imitation controlled substance, and robbery.  

Today Blume admitted to the possession of a rifle and ammunition on March 11, 2014.  Blume acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing the firearm and ammunition because he was a convicted felon.

Blume has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.  Blume faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.

Blume is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution.  Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis E. Valencia is prosecuting the case.