Tatum, N.M., Man Charged with Violating Federal Narcotics Trafficking Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – Robert Wraldo Duncan, Jr., 66, of Tatum, N.M., made his initial appearance this morning in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., on a criminal complaint charging him with violating the federal narcotics trafficking laws.  Duncan is being held pending a preliminary hearing and detention hearing scheduled for Nov. 4, 2015.

The criminal complaint, which was filed by the DEA, charges Duncan with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.  It alleges that Duncan committed the offense on Oct. 30, 2015, in Doña Ana County, N.M.

According to the complaint, Duncan was arrested on Oct. 30, 2015, by U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Border Patrol traffic checkpoint on Highway 70, west of Alamogordo, N.M.  The arrest was made after the agents allegedly discovered 39 bundles of marijuana weighing an aggregate of 1,116.6 pounds concealed in a horse trailer that Duncan was towing with his vehicle.  The agents also allegedly found an unloaded revolver in the center console of Duncan’s vehicle.

If convicted of the marijuana trafficking charge, Duncan faces a statutory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations.  All criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the DEA and the Alamogordo station of the U.S. Border Patrol.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy M. Castellano is prosecuting the case.