Josue Duarte, Methamphetamine Trafficking, New Mexico 2016

Methamphetamine Trafficking Plagues Albuquerque

A 31-year-old Albuquerque man is facing serious consequences after pleading guilty to a federal methamphetamine trafficking charge. Josue Duarte, a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico, entered a guilty plea in federal court on an agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to the indictment, Duarte and co-defendant Johnny Flores were arrested during an ATF-led investigation in April 2016. The investigation led to the filing of 59 federal indictments and one federal criminal complaint charging 104 Bernalillo County residents with federal firearms and narcotics trafficking offenses.

The investigation was part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets repeat offenders for federal prosecution. Duarte and Flores were charged in a four-count indictment filed on August 9, 2016, with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine from July 18, 2016, through July 26, 2016, and distribution of methamphetamine on July 22, 2016.

During today’s proceedings, Duarte pled guilty to a felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine. In entering the guilty plea, Duarte admitted that on July 26, 2016, he arranged the sale of and sold methamphetamine to an undercover law enforcement agent. At sentencing, Duarte faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

As part of the investigation, 31 of the 104 defendants, including Flores, have entered guilty pleas, and three defendants have been sentenced. Charges in indictments are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the ATF and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul H. Spiers. Duarte is currently awaiting sentencing and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

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