Albuquerque Felon Jeter Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession

Jonah Jeter, a 24-year-old Albuquerque man already convicted of second-degree murder, pled guilty today in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition—crimes that carry a maximum sentence of ten years behind bars.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) arrested Jeter in February 2017, following a two-count indictment tied to an incident on November 17, 2015, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico. As a convicted felon, Jeter was strictly prohibited from possessing any firearms or live rounds—a law he knowingly violated.

During court proceedings, Jeter admitted to being in unlawful possession of a firearm and confirmed he tossed the weapon into the yard of an Albuquerque residence on the date in question. The act, federal prosecutors say, wasn’t a moment of panic but a calculated attempt to dispose of evidence after engaging in criminal activity.

Jeter’s criminal history is violent and well-documented. His prior conviction for second-degree murder stripped him of his constitutional right to bear arms, placing him squarely in the crosshairs of federal enforcement when firearms are involved. This case highlights the Justice Department’s aggressive pursuit of repeat offenders who rearm themselves despite clear legal prohibitions.

He remains in federal custody as authorities await sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. At that hearing, U.S. District Court judges will weigh Jeter’s criminal past, the circumstances of the offense, and federal sentencing guidelines before handing down a final penalty.

The investigation was led by the ATF’s Albuquerque field office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys David M. Walsh and Kimberly A. Brawley, both seasoned in violent crime and firearms enforcement. Federal authorities emphasize that illegal gun possession by felons remains a top priority in reducing violent crime across New Mexico.