ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico – In a shocking turn of events, two Albuquerque residents have been sentenced to prison for their roles in a multi-agency investigation led by the ATF targeting drug trafficking and firearms crime in Bernalillo County.
One of the defendants, Daniel Carmona, 31, was sentenced to five years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court, for violating federal firearms laws by using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. Carmona was charged in a criminal complaint with distributing methamphetamine on August 3, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M., after he sold approximately 67 grams of methamphetamine to undercover law enforcement agents.
Carmona was also charged with conspiring to distribute methamphetamine from July 21, 2016, through July 25, 2016, and distributing methamphetamine on July 25, 2016, and August 3, 2016. On December 15, 2017, Carmona pled guilty to carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and admitted that on August 3, 2016, he carried a firearm when he delivered approximately 55.3 grams of methamphetamine to another individual.
Another defendant, Patrick Zamora, 22, was also sentenced to prison. Zamora was charged by criminal complaint with distributing approximately 116.8 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent on June 20, 2016, in Bernalillo County. Zamora pled guilty to a felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine on December 15, 2017.
In related cases, two other Albuquerque residents were sentenced for their convictions on drug trafficking and firearms charges. Keith Thompson, 49, was sentenced to 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for distributing heroin, and Alex Villarreal, 35, was sentenced to 66 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of firearms and distributing methamphetamine.
The investigation was undertaken in support of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets the worst of the worst offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies collaborate with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution primarily based on their prior criminal convictions with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
This case was investigated by the ATF and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Chandler.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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