Prior Felon from Roswell Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm

ALBUQUERQUE – Enrique Chavarria, 33, of Roswell, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition.  The guilty plea was entered without the benefit of a plea agreement.

Chavarria was arrested on July 21, 2016, in Chaves County, N.M., by the U.S. Marshals Service, and was charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.   At the time, Chavarria was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of possession of methamphetamine and cocaine with intent to distribute.

During today’s proceedings, Chavarria pled guilty to a felony information charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm.  At sentencing, Chavarria faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces offices of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Beck of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.