ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – Arthur Sanchez, 35, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, has pleaded guilty to heroin trafficking and being an armed career felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The guilty plea was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Steven C. Yarbrough, 2nd Judicial District Attorney Kari E. Brandenburg, Special Agent in Charge Bernard J. Zapor of the Phoenix Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Albuquerque Police Chief Allen Banks.
Sanchez was arrested on state charges on March 30, 2011, after officers of the Albuquerque Police Department observed Sanchez throw an object out of his vehicle’s window when they pulled him over for a traffic violation. The object was a package containing approximately 22 grams of heroin.
The officers subsequently recovered a pistol with a loaded magazine from Sanchez’s vehicle.
In March 2013, Sanchez was indicted federally and charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition based on the conduct occurring on March 30, 2011. At the time, Sanchez was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of the following felony offenses: aggravated assault and auto burglary; robbery; and aggravated robbery with a firearm.
The related state charges were dismissed after Sanchez was transferred to federal custody in April 2013.
During today’s proceedings, Sanchez entered a guilty plea to both counts of the indictment. Sanchez admitted intentionally possessing heroin on March 30, 2011, with the intention of distributing it. He also admitted possessing a loaded pistol on that day.
Sanchez will remain detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Sanchez will be sentenced to 15 years in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. Sanchez will receive this enhanced sentence because of his status as an armed career criminal.
Related Federal Cases
- Reymondo Maldonado, Meth and Cocaine Trafficking, New Mexico, 2023 · New Mexico
- Guillermo Rodriguez-Sanchez, Importing Cocaine and Heroin, TX, 2016 · New Mexico
- Sergio Marin Ambriz, Heroin Trafficking, Albuquerque NM, 2016 · Arizona
- James Thomas Vance, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2023 · Arizona
- Karen Diaz, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2023 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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