Albuquerque, New Mexico – In a major victory for law enforcement, a federal jury has convicted Gaspar Leal, 47, of participating in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy after a three-day trial. The guilty verdict was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney James D. Tierney and Special Agent in Charge John J. Durastanti of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
According to the indictment, Leal and co-defendants Candace Tapia, 23, Bernadette Aurora Tapia, 49, and Brandon Candelaria, 22, were charged with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine on June 8, 2016, in Bernalillo County. The charges against Candelaria were dismissed on July 18, 2017.
Leal faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. He has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
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.
This week, in addition to the guilty verdict against Leal, two other Albuquerque residents were sentenced for their convictions on federal firearms and drug trafficking offenses. Bernadette Aurora Tapia pled guilty on December 13, 2016, and was sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on April 7, 2017. Candace Tapia pled guilty on June 1, 2017, and was sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on October 3, 2017.
The investigation, which began in August 2016, led to the filing of 59 federal indictments and a federal criminal complaint charging 103 Bernalillo County residents, including Leal, with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses. To date, 81 of the 103 defendants charged as the result of this investigation have been convicted, including 80 who have pleaded guilty, and 52 have been sentenced.
Leal and his co-defendants were charged by indictment on July 12, 2016, with conspiracy and distribution of methamphetamine on June 8, 2016, in Bernalillo County. The evidence at trial established that in May and June 2016, Leal facilitated the sale of approximately 59.2 grams of methamphetamine to an individual working with the ATF. The jury deliberated approximately three-and-a-half hours before returning its verdict.
Defendant: Gaspar Leal
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute
City and State: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Date: June 8, 2016
Sentence: Faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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