Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Violating Federal Drug Trafficking and Firearms Laws in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Nicolas Robert Muniz, 26, of Monahans, Tex., pled guilty this afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to violating federal drug trafficking and firearms laws under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Muniz was charged by criminal complaint on June 5, 2017, after law enforcement officers seized approximately 504 grams of methamphetamine, 50 grams of marijuana, and firearms and ammunition from Muniz’s vehicle following a routine traffic stop.  During the traffic stop, Muniz allegedly acted suspicious and nervous causing the officers to deploy a drug detection canine on the vehicle, and the canine allegedly alerted the officers to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle.

Muniz and his codefendant Michael Dwain Samples, 26, also of Monahans, Tex., were subsequently charged in a six-count indictment on Sept. 13, 2017.  Muniz and Samples were charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  Muniz was charged individually with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Samples was charged individually with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  According to the indictment, the offenses took place on May 16, 2017, in Lea County, N.M.  Samples was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was previously convicted of possession of a controlled substance.  Muniz was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was previously convicted of theft of property.

During today’s proceedings, Muniz pled guilty to a four-count felony information charging him with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  In entering the guilty plea, Muniz admitted that on May 16, 2017, he agreed to drive Samples from Monahans, Texas to Carlsbad, N.M., to purchase approximately 469 grams of methamphetamine.  Muniz further admitted that there was a firearm loaded with several rounds of ammunition under Muniz’s seat in the vehicle Muniz was driving.  Muniz admitted that he possessed the firearm and ammunition despite his status as a convicted felon on May 16, 2017, for protection and in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities.

On Oct. 31, 2017, Samples pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  In entering the guilty plea, Samples admitted that on May 16, 2017, he traveled from Monahans, Texas, to Carlsbad, to purchase approximately 469 grams of methamphetamine with the intention of distributing the methamphetamine to other people in exchange for money.  Samples further admitted that on May 16, 2017, he was in possession of a firearm and ammunition despite his status as a convicted felon. 

At sentencing, Muniz faces a statutory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison and a mandatory penalty of five years in federal prison which must be serviced consecutive to any other sentence imposed.  Samples faces a statutory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison.  Muniz and Samples remain in custody pending sentencing hearings which have yet to be scheduled. 

This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the New Mexico State Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brock E. Taylor and Joni L. Autrey of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office are prosecuting the case.