Baca Admits to Albuquerque Heroin Deal

ALBUQUERQUE – Dominic Baca, 27, of Albuquerque, N.M., took a plea deal today, admitting guilt to a federal charge of heroin trafficking. The conviction is part of a massive federal crackdown on violent crime and narcotics dealing in the Albuquerque metro area.

Baca’s arrest was a direct result of a large-scale investigation spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The operation, which began in mid-April 2016, involved ATF agents from across the country working alongside a coalition of federal, state, county, and local law enforcement. The probe led to 59 federal indictments and one criminal complaint against a total of 104 Bernalillo County residents, charged with offenses ranging from firearms trafficking to narcotics distribution. Investigators utilized undercover work, historical data, and focused on repeat offenders already saddled with felony convictions.

Federal prosecutors framed the investigation as part of a “Worst of the Worst” initiative – a targeted effort to remove the most dangerous repeat offenders from New Mexico communities. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is working with state and local District Attorneys to secure federal convictions for individuals with extensive criminal histories, maximizing their time behind bars. Baca was originally indicted on July 19, 2016, for distributing heroin to an undercover agent. He admitted to the sale during his change of plea hearing today.

Baca now faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. He remains in custody, awaiting a sentencing date yet to be determined. This plea marks the fourth guilty verdict stemming from the larger ATF investigation. The remaining 99 defendants have all pleaded not guilty, and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case against Baca was jointly investigated by the ATF and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez. The prosecution is also being conducted as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative, launched in January 2015 in response to the state’s escalating opioid crisis.

The HOPE Initiative is a five-pronged approach to combatting the opioid epidemic, focusing on prevention, treatment, law enforcement, reentry programs, and strategic planning. The initiative recognizes the devastating impact of opioid addiction on public safety, health, and the economic well-being of New Mexico communities. More information about the New Mexico HOPE Initiative can be found at http://www.HopeInitiativeNM.org.