A Pueblo man has been convicted of multiple drug and firearms charges after a federal jury delivered a guilty verdict.
David Wayne Watkins, 45, of Pueblo, Colorado, was convicted of five counts including possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of a weapon and ammunition, possession of a weapon in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.
According to the facts established at trial, Watkins was stopped by Pueblo Police in December of 2023 for a forged temporary license plate tag. During the stop, Watkins briefly ran from officers before his arrest. During his arrest, police recovered a loaded handgun from his waistband and a bag and wallet together containing $52,000 in cash, 378 fentanyl pills, and 25 grams of pure methamphetamine.
When officers searched his car, they found one additional handgun, numerous firearm magazines and ammunition, clear baggies, and a bag with an additional 375 fentanyl pills. A search of his hotel room resulted in the recovery of a short-barreled rifle and additional ammunition.
“Violent drug dealers have no place in our communities, and we are proud of the team effort that was involved in getting this repeat offender off the street,” said Acting United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Matt Kirsch.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
United States District Court Judge S. Kato Crews presided over the trial. The Pueblo Police Department and the FBI Denver Field Office handled the investigation. The Violent Crime and Immigration Enforcement Section of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado handled the prosecution.
Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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