ALBUQUERQUE – The last of the eight defendants indicted following a joint law enforcement operation in Carlsbad last year pleaded guilty to federal drug offenses in federal court yesterday. Jesus Alonso Cerezo-Espidio , 51, of Carlsbad, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute 5 grams and more of...

ALBUQUERQUE – A Mexican national was convicted by a federal jury of drug trafficking and firearms offenses after less than 22 minutes of deliberation. According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on February 22, 2022 , Albuquerque Police Department Officers (APD) were dispatched to a stolen vehicle call...

ALBUQUERQUE – A Carlsbad man was sentenced to 240 months in prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams and more of methamphetamine and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Manuel Pineda Montoya , 44, was...

ALBUQUERQUE – Three of the eight defendants indicted following a joint enforcement operation last year in Carlsbad, pleaded guilty in federal court to federal drug offenses. Carlos Venegas, Jr., 24, of Carlsbad, pleaded guilty on March 4, 2024, to one count each of conspiracy to distribute 50 grams and more...

Albuquerque, N.M. – As part of Operation Engage, DEA is hosting its fourth annual Citizen’s Academy this coming May and is now accepting applications. The deadline to submit an application is Tuesday April 30 at 11:59 p.m. The DEA Citizens Academy allows community leaders to gain an understanding of DEA’s...

JACKSONVILLE, Fla . – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sentenced Peterson Fils-Aime (37, Orange Park) to 10 years in federal prison for possessing over 5 kilograms of cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Fils-Aime entered a guilty plea on December 12, 2023. According to court records, Fils-Aime was...

ORLANDO, Fla. - U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger sentenced E'Chavion Semaj Flewellen (24, Cocoa) to 16 years and 8 months in federal prison for distribution of 40 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl. Flewellen entered a guilty plea on January 4...

TAMPA, F la. – U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday sentenced Raul Carbajal (34, Plant City) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine . Carbajal entered a guilty plea on November 21, 2023 . According...

ALBUQUERQUE – A federal judge sentenced an Albuquerque man to 57 months in federal prison for maintaining a drug-involved premises in southeast Albuquerque. As the manager of the Best Choice Inn, Kamal Bhula, 44, of Albuquerque, profited from in a kickback scheme that required drug traffickers and users to pay...

TAMPA, Fla . –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Marcus Lutrell Walden (36 , Winter Haven) has pleaded guilty to distributing methamphetamine and p-fluorofentanyl (a fentanyl analogue) . Walden faces a minimum penalty of 5 years, up to 40 years, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not...