Albuquerque Felon Anderson Humphrey Pleads Guilty to Gun Charges

Anderson Humphrey, 34, of Albuquerque, N.M., stood before a federal judge today and admitted he had no business holding a gun — or any ammunition — because he’s a convicted felon. Humphrey pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, a federal crime that will likely land him behind bars for 80 months. The sentence, part of a plea agreement, includes a yet-to-be-determined term of supervised release.

The trouble began on May 23, 2016, when Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers pulled Humphrey in on an active warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, intimidation of a witness, and kidnapping. During the arrest in Bernalillo County, cops found live ammunition in his pocket. A search of his vehicle uncovered a firearm and more rounds. The discovery triggered a federal investigation — felons aren’t allowed within arm’s reach of a weapon, let alone in possession of one.

Humphrey was charged by criminal complaint on May 26, 2016. By September 13 of that year, a federal grand jury indicted him on the same charge: being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Prosecutors pointed to his criminal past — convictions for unlawful possession of cocaine, burglary of a building, unlawful conspiracy to deliver cocaine, and unlawful delivery of cocaine — as the legal basis for his prohibition on owning guns.

Though initially processed on state charges, Humphrey was transferred to federal custody in September 2017. The state charges — related to the same incident — were later dropped in favor of federal prosecution. That move ensured Humphrey would face stiffer penalties under federal gun laws, where prior drug felonies turn illegal possession into a serious federal offense.

During his guilty plea hearing, Humphrey admitted he knowingly possessed the firearm and ammunition on May 23, 2016, despite knowing his status as a convicted felon barred him from doing so. He offered no excuses, no defense — just a guilty plea. He remains in federal custody as he awaits sentencing, with no date set yet.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Albuquerque Police Department, with support from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe is handling the prosecution. The message is clear: in New Mexico, as anywhere else under federal law, felons caught with guns don’t get second chances — they get federal time.