Two Californians Plead Guilty to Federal Drug Trafficking Charges in New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE – Brian Kishawn Philson, 28, and Nekia Tiara Martin, 21, both of Stockton, Calif., pled guilty today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to methamphetamine trafficking offenses.  The defendants entered their guilty pleas to charges arising out of the seizure of approximately 4.3 pounds of methamphetamine during a DEA interdiction investigation in March 2018. 

The DEA arrested Philson and Martin in March 2018, after seizing approximately .95 kilograms (2.09 pounds) of methamphetamine from Philson and approximately one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of methamphetamine from Martin on March 26, 2018, in Albuquerque.  Philson and Martin were subsequently indicted on April 24, 2018, and charged with conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on March 26, 2018, in Bernalillo County, N.M.

During today’s proceedings, Philson and Martin each entered a guilty plea to Count 2 of the indictment charging them with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  In entering their guilty pleas, Philson and Martin admitted possessing approximately 864 grams of methamphetamine while traveling through Albuquerque.  They also admitted that they intended to deliver the methamphetamine to others when they arrived at their final destination.

Philson and Martin have been in federal custody since their arrests and will remain detained pending their sentencing hearings, which have yet to be scheduled.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, Philson faces a sentence of ten years of imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.  Martin faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of ten years and a maximum of life in federal prison. 

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney.