Torrance County Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Charges Arising Out of Seizure of 45 Pounds of Methamphetamine

ALBUQUERQUE – David Krowner, 42, of Estancia, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to federal methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges arising out of a seizure of 20.7 kilograms (45.54 pounds) of methamphetamine and firearms. Under the terms of the plea agreement, Krowner will be sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. The guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney, Special Agent in Charge Waldemar Rodriguez of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in El Paso, and Chief Gorden E. Eden, Jr., of the Albuquerque Police Department (APD).

Krowner was arrested in June 2016, on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute and using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes. According to the criminal complaint, the investigation into Krowner began on June 1, 2016, when HSI received information that Krowner was transporting large quantities of illegal drugs into the Albuquerque area. HSI agents and APD officers arrested Krowner in Albuquerque on June 17, 2016, after searching his vehicle and discovering a large bin containing 20.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, 1.8 kilograms of heroin, two bags of unidentified pills, seven packages of steroids, two handguns, a shotgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. They also seized approximately $21,750.00 from the vehicle and another $4,500.00 from a pocket of Krowner’s pants.

Krowner was indicted on June 30, 2016. The four-count indictment charged him with possessing methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes. The indictment charged Krowner with committing these crimes on June 17, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M., and included forfeiture provisions requiring Krowner to forfeit $26,250 to the United States.

During today’s proceedings, Krowner pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In entering the guilty plea, Krowner admitted that on June 17, 2016, HSI and APD found approximately 20.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, eight firearms, and multiple rounds of ammunition in the Krowner’s vehicle during a traffic stop. In his plea agreement, Krowner admitted that he was a convicted felon at the time of the traffic stop, having previously been convicted of a drug trafficking offense and armed robbery.

Krowner remains in custody federal pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

The case was investigated by HSI’s Border Enforcement and Security Taskforce, which includes APD officers, and APD’s Central Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe is prosecuting the case 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 primarily based on their prior convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.