ALBUQUERQUE — A Silver City man pled guilty to federal heroin trafficking and firearms charges in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Christopher Murillo, 38, admitted to possessing heroin with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Murillo was arrested on February 11, 2018 on a criminal complaint alleging drug trafficking and firearms offenses. According to the complaint, Silver City Police Department officers seized approximately 30.2 grams of heroin, 412.7 grams of marijuana, a loaded firearm, and drug paraphernalia in Murillo’s vehicle while executing a search warrant following a traffic stop on July 6, 2017 in Grant County, New Mexico.
Murillo was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, because of his prior felony convictions for aggravated burglary, larceny, larceny of a firearm, and breaking and entering.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Murillo pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possessing heroin with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. In entering the guilty plea, Murillo admitted that on July 6, 2017, Silver City Police Department officers found 30 grams of heroin and a firearm in his vehicle while executing a search warrant after an officer smelled marijuana emitting from his vehicle during a traffic stop.
Murillo admitted ownership of both the heroin and firearm, and acknowledged that he intended to distribute the heroin to others in exchange for money. Murillo also acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.
At sentencing, Murillo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Silver City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard C. Williams of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case as part of the New Mexico Heroin and Opioid Prevention and Education (HOPE) Initiative.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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