ALBUQUERQUE – Stephen Daniel Sanchez, 41, of Roswell, N.M., has entered a guilty plea in federal court in Las Cruces for violating firearms laws. The 41-year-old was caught with a firearm, despite being prohibited from possessing one due to his previous second-degree murder conviction.

Sanchez and his co-defendant Melodie Ann Andrews, 29, were initially charged with being felons in possession of firearms and ammunition in Chaves County on July 28, 2016. During a raid, law enforcement found 12.1 grams of methamphetamine, 0.4 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, firearms and ammunition, and $3,376 in cash.

Sanchez’s guilty plea comes with a potential ten-year federal prison sentence. His sentencing hearing is yet to be scheduled. Andrews, who has pleaded not guilty, faces the same maximum penalty if convicted.

This high-profile case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force, and the Roswell Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Balla is leading the prosecution.

The charges against all defendants are merely accusations at this stage, with each criminal defendant being presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

Related Federal Cases

Carlsbad Felon Gets Five-Year Sentence for Gun Possession · New Mexico
Las Cruces Felon Quezada Sentenced for Gun Possession · New Mexico
Albuquerque Felon Kristian Thomas Sentenced to 96 Months for Gun Possession · New Mexico
Albuquerque Felon Pleads Guilty to Gun Possession · New Mexico
Carlsbad Felon Christopher Reza Gets Ten-Year Penalty for Narcotics & Gun Law Violation · New Mexico

Key Facts

State: New Mexico
Agency: DOJ USAO
Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes|Cybercrime|Public Corruption|Weapons|Human Trafficking|White Collar Crime|Organized Crime
Source: Official Source ↗

🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →

Browse More

All New Mexico Cases →All Districts →