Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Carrying Gun for Meth Deal

Jorge Chacon, 33, of Albuquerque, N.M., admitted in federal court today to carrying a loaded firearm during the sale of methamphetamine — a move that carries a mandatory five-year prison sentence under federal law. Chacon pled guilty to one count of using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, specifically tied to a May 16, 2016, narcotics deal.

The plea comes as part of a sweeping ATF-led takedown that began in April 2016, targeting violent offenders across Bernalillo County. The operation, backed by federal, state, and local agencies, resulted in 59 indictments and one criminal complaint charging 104 individuals with firearms and drug offenses. Authorities used undercover operations, intelligence gathering, and targeted enforcement against repeat felons armed with guns.

Chacon was named in a seven-count indictment filed June 30, 2016, accusing him of distributing methamphetamine and multiple counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm. His criminal history includes prior convictions for burglary, aggravated battery, and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon — all of which legally barred him from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The indictment details three separate incidents: May 16, 19, and 26, 2016. On May 16, Chacon not only sold meth but carried a firearm to protect the transaction. On May 26, he was found with weapons bearing obliterated serial numbers — a common tactic among traffickers to evade tracing.

Chacon’s guilty plea to Count 2 — carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime — triggers a statutory mandatory minimum of five years in federal prison. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. He remains in custody pending that hearing.

As of now, 27 of the 104 defendants swept up in the crackdown have entered guilty pleas; two have already been sentenced. The rest maintain not guilty pleas. The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Albuquerque and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Cairns. Indictments are accusations; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.

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