Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

ALBUQUERQUE – Guy Bell, 29, of Las Cruces, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to drug trafficking and firearms charges.

Bell was arrested on Aug. 16, 2017, on an indictment charging him with distributing methamphetamine near a school, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. According to the indictment, Bell committed the offenses on Nov. 2, 2016, in Dona Ana County, N.M. Bell was prohibited from possessing firearm or ammunition because he previously has been convicted of larceny of a firearm and tampering with evidence.

During today’s proceedings, Bell pled guilty to a felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine near a school, being a felon in possession of a firearm and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In entering the guilty plea, Bell admitted that on Nov. 2, 2016, he facilitated the sale of approximately 27 grams of pure methamphetamine between an undercover law enforcement agent and Bell’s source of supply, by driving the agent to the residence of the source of supply, which was approximately 500 feet away from an elementary school. Bell also admitted carrying a loaded pistol during the drug transaction for his protection. Bell acknowledged that he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.

At sentencing, Bell faces a maximum penalty of 40 years of imprisonment on the drug trafficking charge and a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment for being a felon in possession of a firearm. In addition, Bell faces a mandatory penalty of at least five years of imprisonment for using a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime and this sentence must be served consecutive to the sentence imposed on the other charges. Bell remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Balla and Dustin Segovia of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office.

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