Two More Defendants Sentenced and Two Others Plead Guilty to Charges Arising Out of ATF-Led Operation Targeting Drug Trafficking and Firearms Crime in Bernalillo County

ALBUQUERQUE – In Aug. 2016, a multi-agency investigation led by the ATF concluded with the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 103 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses.  To date, 82 of these defendants have been convicted, including 81 who have entered guilty pleas, and 54 of them have been sentenced.

The investigation was undertaken in support 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 collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

Last week, two more Albuquerque residents entered guilty pleas.  On Dec. 15, 2017, Daniel Carmona, 31, pled guilty to violating federal firearms laws by using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.  Under the terms of his plea agreement, Carmona will be sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.  Also on Dec. 15, 2017, in a separate case, Patrick Zamora, 22, pled guilty to a methamphetamine trafficking charge.

This week two other Albuquerque residents were sentenced for their convictions on drug trafficking and firearms charges.  Keith Thompson, 49, was sentenced on Dec. 19, 2017, to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distributing heroin, and Alex Villarreal, 35, was sentenced on Dec. 19, 2017, to 66 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of firearms and distributing methamphetamine.

Carmona was charged in a criminal complaint with distributing methamphetamine on Aug. 3, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M., after he sold approximately 67 grams of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement agents.  Thereafter, on Aug. 9, 2016, Carmona and co-defendants Luis Arreola-Palma, 24, and Gaspar Leal, 47, were indicted and charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from July 21, 2016 through July 25, 2016.  Carmona also was charged with distributing methamphetamine on July 25, 2016 and Aug. 3, 2016, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on Aug. 3, 2016.  On Dec. 15, 2017, Carmona pled guilty to carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and admitted that on Aug. 3, 2016, he carried a firearm when he delivered approximately 55.3 actual grams of methamphetamine to another individual.  Arreola-Palma pled guilty on July 28, 2017, and was sentenced on Oct. 26, 2017, to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.  Leal has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges in this case and is pending trial.   

Zamora was charged by criminal complaint with distributing approximately 116.8 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent on June 20, 2016, in Bernalillo County.  Zamora’s co-defendants Noe Urias and co-defendant Angelica Marie Santiesteban, 40, were charged in a four-count indictment filed on June 30, 2016, with methamphetamine trafficking offenses.  The indictment was superseded on July 28, 2016, to include Zamora and an additional methamphetamine trafficking charge.  The superseding indictment charged all three defendants with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from May 2, 2016 through June 20, 2016, and distribution of methamphetamine on June 20, 2016; Urias and Santiesteban with distribution of methamphetamine on May 2, 2016 and May 19, 2016; and Urias with distribution of methamphetamine on May 18, 2016.  On Dec. 15, 2017, Zamora pled guilty to a felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine, and admitted that on June 20, 2016, he sold methamphetamine to another individual in exchange for money.  At sentencing, Zamora faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  Urias pled guilty on March 9, 2017, and was sentenced to 41 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on Dec. 6, 2017.  Santiesteban pled guilty on Dec. 8, 2016, and was sentenced to 63 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on June 27, 2017. 

Thompson and his co-defendant Matthew Sandoval, 38, were arrested in July 2016, and charged in a two-count indictment with distributing heroin on May 9, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on May 19, 2016.  Thompson entered a guilty plea on June 29, 2017 and Sandoval entered a guilty plea on June 30, 2017, to heroin trafficking charges.  In entering their guilty pleas, Thompson and Sandoval both admitted that on May 9, 2016, they sold heroin to another individual.  Sandoval was sentenced on Oct. 19, 2017, to 60 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Villarreal was arrested in July 2016, on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on May 23, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on May 25, 2016.  At the time, Villarreal was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he was previously convicted on larceny, conspiracy to commit larceny, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and aggravated assault.  On Aug. 18, 2017, Villarreal pled guilty to the indictment and admitted selling four firearms to an undercover law enforcement agent on May 23, 2016, and 115 grams of methamphetamine to the agent on May 25, 2016.  Villarreal acknowledged knowing that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon. 

Seventeen of the defendants charged as the result of the ATF investigation have entered not guilty pleas.  Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.   Two defendants are fugitives and the charges against two defendants have been dismissed.

These cases were investigated by the Albuquerque office of ATF.  The case against Carmona is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Norman Cairns and Samuel A. Hurtado.  The case against Zamora is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edward Han.  The case against Thompson was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado, and the case against Villarreal was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez.