Chayanne Armando Nino, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2016

Las Cruces Residents Land Behind Bars for Methamphetamine Trafficking

Las Cruces residents Chayanne Armando Nino, 25, and Michael Angelo Strubhar, 47, have landed themselves in hot water after pleading guilty to federal methamphetamine trafficking charges. The duo’s downfall began in January 2016, when they were arrested on a criminal complaint charging them with methamphetamine trafficking offenses.

According to the criminal complaint, Nino and Strubhar sold methamphetamine to an undercover agent on July 13, 2015. The weight of the methamphetamine distributed was a staggering 12.2 grams.

Nino and Strubhar were subsequently indicted on February 17, 2016, and charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine on July 13, 2015, in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.

During today’s proceedings, Nino and Strubhar each pled guilty to a felony information charging them with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine. Each admitted that on July 13, 2015, Nino distributed methamphetamine to Strubhar, who then distributed the methamphetamine to a law enforcement agent who was acting in an undercover capacity.

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Nino will be sentenced to ten years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court. At sentencing, Strubhar faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Both men remain in custody pending sentencing hearings, which have yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the DEA and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Balla of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.

The guilty pleas of Nino and Strubhar serve as a stark reminder of the dangers of methamphetamine trafficking and the consequences of getting caught. The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

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