A reckless driver from Los Lunas, New Mexico, pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge after attempting to flee from law enforcement in Bernalillo County.
On April 7, 2021, as Albuquerque police and New Mexico State Police officers attempted to execute a traffic stop, Diego Fernandez, 23, drove recklessly towards oncoming traffic.
Law enforcement located Fernandez with the help of air support and apprehended him as he tried to escape on foot.
At the time of his arrest, Fernandez possessed a loaded firearm, which he was not legally allowed to possess due to his status as a convicted felon.
Fernandez was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 12, 2021, and pleaded guilty in federal court on March 7 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The Albuquerque Violent Crime and Gang Task Force, an FBI task force, investigated the case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case.
Fernandez faces up to 10 years in prison.
Related Federal Cases
- Felon’s Gun Grip: 27-Year-Old Alshekhly Charged with Firearm Possession · Oklahoma
- Andre Kase Jr, Possession of Stolen Firearm, Cedar Rapids IA, 2013 · Indiana
- Juan Carlos Hernandez, Assaulting an FBI Agent with a Firearm, Mesa… · Puerto Rico
- Darrel Salazar, Brandishing Firearm, Albuquerque NM, 2023 · New Mexico
- Roman I Trujillo, Home Invasion, New Mexico 2015 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
