A Las Cruces man has been found guilty of federal firearms and narcotics offenses. Paul Michael Astorga, 35, was convicted of one count each of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Astorga was arrested on November 3, 2020, after a search of his residence resulted in the recovery of a loaded 9mm handgun and 66 pills containing fentanyl. At the time of his arrest, Astorga was subject to an active warrant for his arrest for a violation of the terms of his supervised release for a 2014 conviction of being a felon in possession of a firearm.
The investigation into Astorga’s case was led by the FBI, United States Marshals Service, and Las Cruces Police Department Metro Narcotics Taskforce. Assistant United States Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Joni Autrey Stahl are prosecuting the case.
Astorga’s prior convictions include robbery, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence, trafficking by possession with intent to distribute, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Astorga was not legally permitted to possess a firearm or ammunition.
The anticipated sentencing range for Astorga is 1 to 12 and a half years in prison, with a mandatory five-year sentence to be served consecutively for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
Astorga will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. The conviction of Astorga serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat firearms and narcotics trafficking in the region.
The guilty verdict in Astorga’s case is a significant blow to those involved in firearms and narcotics trafficking. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Related Federal Cases
- No defendant name found in the article.
Kingpins Narcotics Traffi…
· New York - Bayron Castro Sentenced for Narcotics Ring, New York NY, 2023 · New York
- Jerome Eckstein Pleads Guilty to Narcotics Money Laundering, Albuqu… · Colorado
- Herbert D. Zeno, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Vancouver WA, 2013 · Washington
- Carlos Carmona-Gonzalez, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Vancouve… · Washington
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
