Armed Career Criminal from Albuquerque Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Kristian Thomas, a 35-year-old from Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm in federal court this morning. Thomas entered his guilty plea under an agreement that permits him to appeal from a court order denying his motion to suppress evidence. He will be permitted to withdraw his guilty plea if he prevails on his appeal.
Thomas, who has a history of violent crime, including convictions for armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and attempted residential burglary, is being prosecuted under a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. The initiative aims to remove repeat offenders from New Mexico communities for as long as possible.
Thomas was arrested on March 26, 2015, at a pawnshop on Bridge SW in Albuquerque on an outstanding warrant. During a search incident to arrest, Albuquerque Police Department officers found a revolver in Thomas’ pants pocket. He was subsequently indicted on April 28, 2015, and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm.
During today’s proceedings, Thomas pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on March 26, 2015, he possessed a revolver, which he was not permitted to possess because of his status as a convicted felon.
Thomas remains in federal custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. If deemed an armed career criminal, Thomas faces an enhanced sentence of a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison.
The case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Norman Cairns.
Defendant Information:
* Name: Kristian Thomas
* Charges: Unlawful Possession of a Firearm
* City and State: Albuquerque, N.M.
* Date: March 26, 2015
* Sentence: Pending, faces up to 15 years in prison if deemed an armed career criminal
Related Federal Cases
- Andre Kase Jr, Possession of Stolen Firearm, Iowa 2013 · Iowa
- Darrel Salazar, Brandishing a Firearm, New Mexico 2016 · New Mexico
- Peter Pagan, Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, New Mexico 2015 · New Mexico
- Reynaldo Marquez, Discharging a Firearm During a Crime of Violence, New Mexico 2014 · New Mexico
- Darrel Salazar, Brandishing a Firearm during a Crime of Violence, New Mexico 2016 · New Mexico
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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