ALBUQUERQUE – Ernesto Marquez Muniz, 31, of Las Cruces, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to a methamphetamine trafficking charge under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Muniz was arrested on Sept. 15, 2016, on a criminal complaint alleging methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges. According to the complaint, on May 24, 2016, Muniz sold approximately seven grams of methamphetamine and a handgun and ammunition to an undercover law enforcement agent in Dona Ana County, N.M. At the time, Muniz was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his prior felony conviction for distributing cocaine in the Western District of Texas in 2010.
During today’s proceedings, Muniz pled guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Muniz admitted that on May 24, 2016, he sold methamphetamine and a gun to undercover law enforcement agents in the parking lot of a motel in Las Cruces.
At sentencing, Muniz faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah M. Davenport of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.