Fentanyl Felon Charged

⏱ 2 min read

Kenneth Manuel Aguirre, a 43-year-old Las Cruces man with prior felony convictions, has been charged federally with fentanyl trafficking and multiple firearm offenses. On July 5, 2025, Aguirre allegedly pointed a handgun at three victims outside his residence in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The incident led to his arrest by the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, which recovered a handgun, suspected fentanyl pills, a rifle, ammunition, and other firearm accessories from his vehicle and residence.

Aguirre is accused of possessing over 40 grams of fentanyl with intent to distribute and carrying a firearm in furtherance of that crime on August 13. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms. The charges against Aguirre include three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and one count of using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the Las Cruces/Dona Ana Metro Narcotics, and the Las Cruces Police Department, investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez is prosecuting the case, which was announced by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office.

If convicted, Aguirre faces a minimum of 10 years and up to 40 years in prison. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.