Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearm in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crime

Agreement Requires Imposition of Twelve Year Prison Sentence

ALBUQUERQUE – Ronald Lewis Chavez, 46, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty today to possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime charge. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Chavez will be sentenced to 12 years in federal prison followed by a term of not more than five years of supervised release.

Chavez was arrested on Jan. 27, 2014, based on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.  Chavez subsequently was indicted in Feb. 2014, charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to court filings, law enforcement officers seized a handgun located underneath the mattress of Chavez’ bed and ammunition that was concealed in two black boxes next to the bed when they executed a search warrant at his residence in southwest Albuquerque on Jan. 24, 2014.  Officers also seized plastic bags containing methamphetamine from a fanny pack buckled around Chavez’ torso.

Today Chavez pled guilty to possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  Chavez has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the DEA and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis E. Valencia.