Jaime Lopez, Fentanyl Trafficking, New Mexico 2024

Fentanyl Trafficking Fears Grip New Mexico as Jaime Lopez Sentenced to 96 Months in Prison

A previously convicted felon has been sentenced to 96 months in prison for his role in a fentanyl trafficking operation in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Jaime Lopez, 35, was arrested in May 2024 after agents recovered fentanyl and a stolen firearm during an attempted stop.

According to court records, Lopez fled at a high rate of speed when agents attempted to stop a vehicle associated with an ongoing investigation into fentanyl trafficking. The vehicle had recently been purchased by Lopez and was the subject of an outstanding arrest warrant for failure to appear.

Approximately three hours later, agents located the vehicle again in Las Cruces and observed Lopez exit a public establishment with two other individuals. As officers approached, Lopez fled on foot, discarding a package later found to contain approximately 690 fentanyl pills.

Officers pursued and arrested Lopez a short time later. Agents recovered a stolen handgun from a backpack inside the vehicle. In a post-arrest interview, Lopez admitted he fled because of the outstanding warrant and discarded the pills to avoid getting caught with them.

Lopez also admitted to possessing the firearm for protection, stating that he had previously sold drugs in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and feared retaliation from former associates. At the time of the offense, Lopez was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions, including a 2005 conviction for second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit second-degree murder.

Lopez subsequently pled guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Upon his release from prison, Lopez will be subject to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Philip Russell, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today. The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from Las Cruces/Dona Ana County Metro Narcotics, the Las Cruces Police Department, the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Y. Armijo prosecuted the case.

Related Federal Cases