ALBUQUERQUE – Ruben Adrian Rubalcava, a 36-year-old man from Dunedin, Florida, has pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens in New Mexico.
Rubalcava was arrested on September 16, 2018, after U.S. Border Patrol agents encountered him and two other individuals in a parking lot in Sunland Park, New Mexico. The agents found 408 grams of methamphetamine in Rubalcava’s backpack during a search incident to arrest.
The investigation revealed that Rubalcava had conspired with another individual to drive to Sunland Park and pick up two illegal aliens who had unlawfully entered the United States. Rubalcava admitted to intending to deliver the methamphetamine to others within the United States and that he participated in the conspiracy for financial gain.
Rubalcava was charged in two separate federal criminal complaints. The first complaint, filed on September 18, 2018, charged Rubalcava with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The second complaint, filed on September 19, 2018, charged Rubalcava and co-defendant Keith Anthony Cummings, 35, of El Paso, Texas, with conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.
Rubalcava faces a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Border Patrol, the DEA, and Homeland Security Investigations. The U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
The defendant’s plea agreement includes a guilty plea to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to transport illegal aliens.
Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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