ALBUQUERQUE – It was a gritty proceeding in federal court when 55-year-old Ronald Troy Bettencourt of Artesia, N.M., faced the music for his illegal dealings. Bettencourt, a prior felon, entered a guilty plea today for violating federal firearms and drug trafficking laws, according to the Department of Justice USAO for New Mexico.
Bettencourt’s law enforcement run-in began on September 1, 2015, when he was arrested. The charges? A whole smorgasbord of crimes: being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition; distributing methamphetamine; and possessing explosives as a felon—all back in January 23 and March 18, 2014. The crimes were committed in Eddy County, N.M. The defendant’s prior convictions? Not pretty – conspiracy to possess a controlled substance, embezzlement, and fraud, which had stripped him of the right to own or possess firearms, ammunition, or explosives.
In today’s proceeding, Bettencourt’s plea was unconditional; no plea agreement cushioned his admission of guilt. His sentence looms large with a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison. The sentencing date, however, remains up in the air, pending scheduling.
This case stands as yet another victory for the Las Cruces office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which led the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is at the helm of prosecution, ensuring that justice will be served on behalf of the federal government.
It’s a stark reminder of the dangerous intersection of drug trafficking and gun possession in our communities. As for Bettencourt, his days of easy come-easy go are over – the law has caught up with him, and now the consequences await.
Related Federal Cases
- Albuquerque Felon Michael Gerard Smith Faces Federal Drug, Gun Charges · New Mexico
- Alires Jailed for Felon Firearm Posession in NM · New Mexico
- Tony Torrez Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking and Firearm Charges · New Mexico
- Colorado Man Pleads Guilty to Wells Fargo Bank Robbery with Firearm · Colorado
- Albuquerque Drug Kingpin Pleads Guilty to Cocaine, Money Laundering · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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