Abran Apodaca, Unlawfully Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition, New Mexico 2017

ALBUQUERQUE – Abran Apodaca, 37, of Albuquerque, N.M., made his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The charge arises from an Aug. 4, 2017 incident during which FBI Special Agents and a Task Force Officer fired at Apodaca after he allegedly pointed a rifle at an Agent.

The criminal complaint alleges that on Aug. 4, 2017, after learning that Apodaca had an active state arrest warrant for an alleged probation violation, FBI Special Agents and Task Force Officers conducted surveillance at Apodaca’s residence.

According to the criminal complaint, Apodaca was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon. FBI agents arrested Apodaca on the criminal complaint this morning.

Apodaca remains in federal custody pending a preliminary hearing and a detention hearing, both of which are scheduled at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow morning.

If convicted on the crime charged in the criminal complaint, Apodaca faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the FBI with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez is prosecuting the case.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nm/pr/albuquerque-felon-charged-unlawfully-possessing-firearm-and-ammunition