Santa Fe Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of Firearm

ALBUQUERQUE – Joaquin Archuleta, 41, of Santa Fe, N.M., pled guilty this morning in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm. The plea agreement includes a recommendation that Archuleta be sentenced to 63 months of imprisonment followed by a period of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Archuleta was arrested on Nov. 9, 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm on April 7, 2016, in Santa Fe County, N.M. Archuleta was indicted on the same charge on Dec. 7, 2016. According to the indictment, Archuleta was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted on two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, possession of a controlled substance, and attempt to traffic a controlled substance.

During today’s proceedings, Archuleta pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on April 7, 2016, he threw a handgun into the backyard of a residence while attempting to flee from police. Archuleta also admitted knowing that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his prior felony convictions. Archuleta remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and the Santa Fe Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy S. Vasquez is prosecuting the case.