ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A Carlsbad-area felon, Paul J. Harry, 32, has entered a guilty plea in federal court, facing up to ten years for violating federal firearms laws. The gritty case against Harry, who was charged with possessing an unregistered firearm and ammunition, centers around his status as a convicted felon.
Harry was originally nabbed on Jan. 17, 2017, following a routine traffic stop that led to the discovery of an outstanding warrant for probation violation. During a subsequent search of Harry’s vehicle, law enforcement officers uncovered a sawed-off rifle not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR), along with ammunition.
Harry was formally indicted on April 19, 2017, on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm. His prior conviction for burglary made his latest offense particularly concerning.
In court today, Harry admitted to possessing the short-barreled rifle and acknowledged that as a felon, he was legally prohibited from owning firearms or ammunition. The sentence Harry now faces could land him behind bars for up to a decade, with a sentencing hearing still pending.
This high-stakes investigation was spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Las Cruces and the Roswell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brock E. Taylor is handling the prosecution on behalf of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.
RELATED: Las Cruces Man Luis Cipriano Gets 12 Years for Drug Trafficking
RELATED: Colorado Co. Pleads Guilty to Trade Secret Thefts in Texas
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More