Albuquerque Drug Trafficker Sentenced to 20-years in Federal Prison
ALBUQUERQUE – An Albuquerque man with a history of felony convictions was sentenced to 248 months in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses after being found guilty at trial of possessing nearly two pounds of methamphetamine and a loaded handgun.
There is no parole in the federal system.
According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on February 20, 2021, Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a call about a suspicious person in Albuquerque's South Valley. Deputies observed Jaime Valdez, 36, matching the description and noticed him acting nervously. Upon approach, Valdez began reaching into his pockets and a duffle bag, prompting deputies to secure him.
A search revealed a loaded pistol in Valdez’s pocket and approximately $2,560 in cash, two packages containing 859.8 grams of pure methamphetamine, and drug packaging materials and a scale in the duffle bag.
Valdez, who had three outstanding felony warrants and was previously convicted of felony charges including False Imprisonment and Child Abuse, was prohibited from possessing firearms.
Upon his release from prison, Valdez will be subject to five years of supervised release.
Towanda R. Thorne-James, Special Agent in Charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration El Paso Division, and U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Drug Enforcement Administration investigated this case with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nora Wilson and Joseph Spindle prosecuted the case.
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