Jesus Rodriguez, Unlawful Possession of Firearm, New Mexico 2016

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – In a disturbing tale of firearms and felonies, Jesus Rodriguez, 32, of Albuquerque, N.M., has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. This conviction comes after a lengthy investigation by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office.

The charges against Rodriguez stem from an arrest in April 2016, where he was taken into custody on a criminal complaint charging him with unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition in Bernalillo County, N.M., on Jan. 29, 2016. Following this arrest, Rodriguez was indicted on the same charge on May 10, 2016. According to the indictment, Rodriguez had previously been convicted of several felony offenses, including aggravated assault against a household member with a deadly weapon, auto burglary, aggravated battery against a household member causing great bodily harm, child abuse, conspiracy to commit auto burglary, and battery on a peace officer.

Today, Rodriguez appeared in federal court and pleaded guilty to the indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. At sentencing, Rodriguez faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. If the Court determines that Rodriguez is an armed career criminal, he faces an enhanced sentence of a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano Torrez is prosecuting this case as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets ‘the worst of the worst’ offenders for federal prosecution. This initiative aims to remove repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

The case against Rodriguez is a stark reminder of the dangers of firearms in the wrong hands. As a felon, Rodriguez was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition, and his actions put himself and others at risk.

The investigation into Rodriguez’s activities was a collaborative effort between the ATF and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. Their work has helped to keep our communities safer and has brought a notorious individual to justice.

As the people of Albuquerque continue to live with the consequences of Rodriguez’s actions, the city remains committed to reducing crime and promoting public safety. The guilty plea of Jesus Rodriguez serves as a warning to all those who would seek to disregard the law and put the public at risk.

Related Federal Cases