Socorro woman sentenced to 16 years in prison for federal drug and firearms conviction

            ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  – Mary Gonzales, 50, of Socorro, New Mexico, was sentenced on Aug. 18 to 16 years and three months in prison. On March 10, a jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts, including one count each of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute heroin, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

           According to court records, on June 7, 2018, a Socorro County Deputy observed Gonzales conducting what appeared to be a hand-to-hand drug sale in Socorro. The deputy conducted a traffic stop and found Gonzales in possession of methamphetamine, heroin and a loaded firearm.

           Gonzales previously had been convicted of possession of marijuana, attempted possession of a controlled substance, trafficking crack cocaine and attempted trafficking of crack cocaine. As a previously convicted felon, Gonzales cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.

           Upon her release from prison, Gonzales will be subject to five years of supervised release.

           The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Socorro County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samuel Hurtado and Nicholas Mote prosecuted the case.