DOJ New Mexico District Weekly News Roundup thru January 31st, 2025

The Department of Justice New Mexico office released information on the most recent arrests, convictions and plea agreements for the week. Below is highlights of the most recent actions...

A Laguna man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for a fatal DWI crash on the Laguna Pueblo in 2022 that killed three members of the same family.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents per a release, on August 7, 2022, Cody Allen Charlie, 38, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna, was driving intoxicated at 116 miles per hour while using his cell phone when he crashed into another vehicle on Interstate 40, near mile marker 130. The impact caused the other vehicle to veer off the interstate and onto the shoulder, where it rolled over. All three occupants of that vehicle were killed in the crash. Instead of providing help to his victims, Charlie left his wrecked vehicle and ran from the scene.

Upon his release from prison, Charlie will be subject to five years of supervised release. He must also make full monetary restitution to the victims of his crimes. As part of his supervised release, Charlie will be subject to alcohol and substance-abuse monitoring, and he must also complete mental-health and substance-abuse programs. As a convicted felon, Charlie is no longer permitted to own or possess a firearm.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Laguna Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Brittany DuChaussee and Zachary C. Jones are prosecuting the case.

A Farmington woman faces charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and child abuse stemming from an incident on the Navajo Nation.

According to court records, on or about September 2, 2024, Tenille Quintawna Peshlakai, 32, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, allegedly assaulted the victim with a motor vehicle, intending to cause bodily harm, while simultaneously endangering a minor who was improperly restrained in the front passenger seat.

Peshlakai will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for January 31, 2025. If convicted, Peshlakai faces up to 10 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Marshall is prosecuting the case.

View the Indictment (Peshlakai).pdf

A Shiprock man was sentenced to 23 years in federal prison today for the fatal stabbing of John Doe at a gas station in Shiprock, New Mexico in 2021.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents via the release , on October 24, 2021, following a night of drinking and socializing with friends, Marc Gene Clark, 47, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, confronted John Doe in the parking lot of a gas station. During the confrontation and without provocation, Clark stabbed Doe with a knife, resulting in significant blood loss and ultimately leading to Doe's death later that day.

Surveillance video footage captured the stabbing. Clark was subsequently arrested at a nearby laundromat by officers from the Navajo Nation Police Department, and the knife used in the stabbing was found in his possession.

Upon his release from prison, Clark will be subject to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement.

The Farmington Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Navajo Police Department and Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew J. McGinley and Paul J. Mysliwiec prosecuted the case.

The final of four defendants has been sentenced for his role in a drug trafficking organization that operated out of various Motel 6 locations in Albuquerque. The sentences mark the conclusion of a multi-agency investigation that began in August 2020 as part of Operation Legend.

According to court documents per the release , the investigation revealed that the organization engaged in the distribution of methamphetamine. Members routinely carried firearms during drug transactions and were involved in other criminal activities, including selling firearms and a kidnapping incident.

The Motel 6 on Carlisle and I-40 served as a hub for the group's operations. Between January and June 2020, this location generated 233 calls for police service, including reports of firearms activity, armed robberies, and other serious crimes.

Four defendants have been sentenced for their roles in a violent drug trafficking organization:

• Jack Trujillo, 48, the ringleader, was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for multiple counts of methamphetamine distribution, firearms offenses, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Upon his release from prison, Trujillo will be subject to five years of supervised release.
• Alberto Gomez, 40, received a 11.5-year sentence for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, aiding and abetting the possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Upon his release from prison, Gomez will be subject to five years of supervised release.
• Cedric Kulka, 26, was sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Upon his release from prison, Kulka will be subject to three years of supervised release.
• Christopher Hulsey, 29, received a 15-year sentence for multiple counts of methamphetamine distribution, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Upon his release from prison, Hulsey will be subject to five years of supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal is prosecuting the case.

Federal law enforcement arrested two Albuquerque men after executing search warrants that uncovered a significant cache of weapons, drugs, and evidence of an ongoing drug trafficking operation linked to the Cibola County Correctional Center.

According to court records per a release, Michael “Gomer” Ernest Garcia, 46, was arrested on outstanding federal and state warrants. A second man, Eric Edwards, 36, was taken into custody on a state warrant.

Garcia was the final defendant sought in connection with an investigation into a conspiracy involving both incarcerated and non-incarcerated individuals who formed a drug trafficking network that was introducing contraband into the Cibola County Correctional Center in Milan, NM.

During the operation, authorities seized weapons and illegal substances from Garcia’s residence, including:

• Sixteen firearms, among them one pistol with a machine gun conversion device, five AR-15 rifles, two AR-15 pistols, and one AK-47 rifle
• More than two dozen high-capacity magazines
• Hundreds of rounds of ammunition in various calibers
• Controlled substances including methamphetamine and heroin

Garcia had been evading law enforcement for over two years and was featured on the "METRO 15" wanted poster.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, and David Barnett, U.S. Marshal for the District of New Mexico, made the announcement.

The FBI Albuquerque Division Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) and United States Marshals Service jointly investigated this case with assistance from the CoreCivic Intelligence Unit and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant United States Attorneys Paul Mysliwiec and David Hirsch are prosecuting the case.

The VGTF is an FBI led task force comprising of agents and officers from the New Mexico State Police, Rio Rancho Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and the Albuquerque Police Department.

A federal grand jury has indicted an Albuquerque man for interstate communications containing a threat against then President Donald J. Trump.

The criminal complaint alleges that Tyler Miles Leveque, 37, made multiple threatening social media posts between January 2 and 4, 2025, expressing intent to harm the President-Elect and others at an upcoming rally. The posts included statements such as "you and your rich friends are dead no threat a promise" and references to violence at an event reportedly planned for January 19th in Washington D.C.

During an interview with agents from the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on January 6, 2025, Leveque admitted to making the threatening posts and recently purchasing a firearm. Investigators confirmed Leveque had recently bought a gun from a local business.

Leveque will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Leveque faces up to five years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez, Ron Emmot, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Albuquerque Resident Office, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement.

The U.S. Secret Service investigated this case with the assistance of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sammy Hurtado is prosecuting the case.

View the Indictment (Leveque).pdf

A Colorado man was sentenced to 228 months in prison for drug trafficking after being caught during a traffic stop on Interstate 25 within the Kewa Pueblo reservation.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on June 14, 2023, a BIA K9 Officer observed Juan Hugo Lugo, 29, speeding and following too closely to other vehicles on Interstate 25 near mile marker 250.

During the subsequent traffic stop, the officer observed two large black and yellow storage bins partially covered with T-shirts in the rear cargo area, and another bin on the rear passenger seat containing multiple large plastic-wrapped bundles suspected to be methamphetamine. The officer also observed a white powdery substance inside Lugo's nostrils.

When questioned in the police vehicle, Lugo admitted to possessing personal use cocaine and having just taken a "bump."

A probable cause search of the vehicle revealed multiple plastic-wrapped bundles containing a crystal-like substance suspected to be methamphetamine and five brick-shaped packages suspected to contain cocaine. Additionally, a loaded 9mm Glock 19 firearm was found in the passenger compartment.

The total seizure was 96.1kilograms of methamphetamine and 4.9 kilograms of cocaine.

Upon his release from prison, Lugo will be subject to five years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with the assistance of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Raquel Ruiz Velez is prosecuting the case.

A federal jury in New Mexico has found Robert Haack guilty of wire fraud, mail fraud, and violating the Indian Arts and Crafts Act for selling counterfeit Charles Loloma jewelry on eBay, following a 4-day trial that concluded after approximately 4 hours of deliberation.

Charles Loloma is one of the most well-known Native American jewelry-makers of the 20th century. Today, his work is featured in many galleries and museums across the southwest. His authentic pieces can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that Haack engaged in a sophisticated scheme to defraud buyers by creating counterfeit Loloma jewelry pieces in his California home and selling them for several thousands of dollars per piece on eBay. As part of the investigation into Haack, undercover federal agents purchased two pieces, pictured below, from him off of eBay in order to have them analyzed for authenticity

Loloma's niece, Verma Nequatewa, a jeweler who studied under her famous uncle, examined the two pieces purchased from Haack by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agents and testified at trial that they were fakes.

The jury was also presented with evidence seized from Haack's home, including raw materials for jewelry-making, unfinished Loloma-style jewelry, engraving tools hidden in a boot, practice Loloma signatures on metal shards, and design sketches.

It is estimated that Haack sold more than four-hundred thousand dollars’ worth of fake Loloma jewelry before he was charged. The scheme spanned several years, causing significant harm not only to the victims who were defrauded but also to Loloma's legacy and the broader Native American art community.

“We will protect the sacred cultural heritage and unique history of authentic Native American artistry as well as consumers from scammers,” said U.S Attorney Uballez.

“Robert Haack’s counterfeit operation significantly impacted the Native American art and craft marketplace,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and Tribes. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is equipped with a dedicated team of special agents focused on enforcing the Indian Art and Crafts Act on behalf of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board. Through these investigations, the Service endeavors to protect and preserve the authenticity of art produced by our Nation’s Native American artisans. We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.”

“Native American art fraud is a serious crime that exploits consumers and severely undermines the economic and cultural livelihood of Native American artists and tribes,” said Doug Ault, Assistant Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement. “We thank our partners at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board for their assistance with this investigation.”

“Counterfeit Indian art – like Robert Haack’s jewelry that he misrepresented and sold as made by Charles Loloma -- the father of contemporary Indian jewelry -- tears at the very fabric of Indian culture, livelihoods, and communities,” said Meridith Stanton, Director of the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board (IACB). “The IACB by statute is responsible for administering the Indian Arts and Crafts Act (IACA), an anti-counterfeiting law that protects Indian artists and consumers. Mr. Haack’s actions demean and rob authentic Indian artists who rely on the creation and sale of their artwork to put food on the table, make ends meet, and pass along these important cultural traditions and skills from one generation to the next. His actions undermine consumers’ confidence in the Indian art market in the Southwest and nationwide. Due to the outstanding work of the Office of the U.S. Attorney-District of New Mexico and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service IACA Investigative Unit, Mr. Haack is being held accountable and the message is clear. For those selling counterfeit Indian art and craftwork it is important to know that wherever you are we will diligently work to find you and prosecute you under the Indian Arts and Crafts Act.”

Following the verdict, the Court ordered that Haack remain on conditions of release pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled. At sentencing, Haack faces up to 20 years in prison.

There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Amy Lueders, Southwest Region Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, made the announcement.

The U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife, Office of Law Enforcement investigated this case with assistance from the Indians Arts and Crafts Board. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the case.

A Mescalero man pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a teen 20 years his junior.

According to court documents, Thomas Lee Chaffins, 35, an enrolled member of Mescalero Apache Tribe, admitted to sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl on September 27, 2024, in Otero County, New Mexico, on the Mescalero Apache Indian Reservation.

Chaffins will remain detained pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. At sentencing, Chaffins faces up to 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistant United States Attorneys Matilda McCarthy Villalobos and Alyson Hehr are prosecuting the case.

View the Plea Agreement (Chaffins)_3.pdf

A Las Cruces man was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for carjacking and firearms offenses stemming from a violent incident in February 2023.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on February 19, 2023, officers from the Las Cruces Police Department attempted to stop a black Cadillac sedan with no visible license plate. The vehicle refused to pull over and was later located parked in front of the Rack Room Shoes store on E. Lohman Ave.

Officers observed Sergio Ivan Enriquez, 41, walking towards the Cadillac. Upon seeing the officers, Enriquez fled on foot. Shortly after, officers heard on the radio that an individual matching Enriquez's description had stolen a vehicle at gunpoint in the same parking lot.

During the carjacking, Enriquez entered the victim's vehicle through the front passenger door, demanding that the victim "get out or drive." When the victim refused, Enriquez pulled out a gray handgun, forcing the victim to exit the vehicle. Enriquez then drove off in the car with the victim's dog still inside.

Later that day, authorities located the stolen Volkswagen, the dog, and Enriquez at a residence in Las Cruces. A search of the residence uncovered a gray handgun in the kitchen oven. Additionally, a shotgun was found in the Cadillac from which Enriquez had initially fled.

At the time of the incident, Enriquez, previously convicted of child abuse in 2014, was prohibited from possessing firearms.

Upon his release from prison, Enriquez will be subject to three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, made the announcement.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo and Ry Ellison prosecuted the case.

Two Santa Fe men were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking operation that utilized social media to advertise and distribute drugs.

According to court documents, the Santa Fe Police Department (SFPD) and the FBI began investigating a fentanyl-based drug-trafficking organization in the fall of 2020. During the investigation, officers uncovered the defendants, Mario Guizar-Anchondoand Werni Lopez-Perez, social media activity advertising the sale of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

In December 2021, SFPD officers encountered Guizar-Anchondo and Lopez-Perez twice.

• December 4, 2021: SFPD responded to a report of suspected drug activity involving Lopez-Perez in a white Ford F-150 truck. A search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a loaded firearm, over $18,000 in cash, 635 grams of methamphetamine, 40 grams of fentanyl pills, and drug paraphernalia.
• December 30, 2021: SFPD officers stopped the same Ford F-150 truck, this time driven by Guizar-Anchondo with Lopez-Perez as the passenger. A search of the vehicle, authorized by federal and state warrants, revealed approximately 1,730 grams of methamphetamine, 32,000 fentanyl pills, five loaded firearms, and additional drug paraphernalia.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Guizar-Anchondoand Lopez-Perez continued to advertise fentanyl pills for sale on social media platforms. These posts depicted baggies of fentanyl pills similar to those recovered from the vehicle.

Lopez-Perez and Guizar-Anchondo both pled guilty to one count each of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Lopez-Perez was sentenced to 80 months in prison, while Guizar-Anchondo was sentenced to 108 months.

Upon their release from prison, Lopez-Perez andGuizar-Anchondo will be subject to 3 years of supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement.

The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Fe Police Department. The United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.

Until next week....

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