Jose Velasquez, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, New Mexico 2015
Violent Crime in Albuquerque: Jose Velasquez Charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm
ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico - A San Juan County resident has been arraigned in federal court on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Jose Velasquez, 29, entered a not guilty plea and remains in federal custody pending trial.
The federal charge against Velasquez was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez and other law enforcement officials. Velasquez was arrested on state charges on Aug. 4, 2015, and subsequently was charged in a federal criminal complaint on Aug. 17, 2015, with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
According to the criminal complaint, Velasquez was arrested on state charges by APD officers after they observed him walking near the area of Sunshine Terrace SE and University Blvd. SE in Albuquerque while allegedly armed with a handgun. The officers allegedly found a semiautomatic pistol, ammunition and a small quantity of heroin in Velasquez's pants pocket.
Velasquez was held in state custody on related state charges until he was transferred to federal custody to face the charges in the federal indictment. The state charges have been dismissed in favor of federal prosecution. If convicted of the charge in the indictment, Velasquez faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in prison.
This case was investigated by the ATF office in Albuquerque and APD with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec is prosecuting the case as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets 'the worst of the worst' offenders for federal prosecution.
Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney's Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico's District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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