Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBUQUERQUE – Jerry Ernest Lopez, 33, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 84 months in federal prison for his methamphetamine trafficking conviction. He will be on supervised release for four years after he completes his prison sentence.

Lopez is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.

Lopez was arrested in May 2014, on a criminal complaint alleging that he unlawfully possessed methamphetamine, firearms and ammunition on May 27, 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the criminal complaint, officers of the Albuquerque Police Department apprehended Lopez at his residence following the execution of a felony warrant on his residence. The complaint alleges that detective located approximately three ounces of methamphetamine, dozens of prescription pills, more than $10,000.00 in cash, five firearms and significant amounts of ammunition inside safes that were located inside Lopez’s bedroom. At the time, Lopez was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of three counts of possession of a controlled substance and forgery in the 2nd Judicial District Court for the State of New Mexico.

Lopez was indicted on June 24, 2014, in a three-count indictment, charging him with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. On Nov. 5, 2014, Lopez pled guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute. In entering his guilty plea, Lopez admitted that on May 27, 2014, he possessed more than 50 grams of methamphetamine that was seized by law enforcement from his home in northeast Albuquerque along with $10,335.00 in cash during the execution of a search warrant. Lopez further admitted to being a drug dealer.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque offices of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the DEA, and the Albuquerque Police Department with assistance from the 2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Walsh prosecuted the case.