DEA-led multi-agency investigation dismantles major New Mexico poly-drug trafficking drug trafficking organization
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Twelve individuals are facing federal drug trafficking and firearms charges as the result of a two-year DEA-led multi-agency investigation into a major New Mexico-based poly-drug trafficking organization allegedly operating between Las Vegas, N.M., and Albuquerque, N.M., under the alleged leadership of Robert Padilla, 42, of Albuquerque. The investigation culminated this week when Padilla and eight other defendants were arrested yesterday and today by teams of federal, state, county, and local law enforcement officers.
U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson and Special Agent in Charge Kyle W. Williamson of the DEA’s El Paso Division announced the results of the investigation, which was designated as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force program. OCDETF is a nationwide Department of Justice program that combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations.
Special Agent in Charge James C. Langenberg of the FBI Albuquerque Division, Special Agent in Charge Ismael Nevarez, Jr., of the Phoenix Field Division of IRS-Criminal Investigation, and Special Agent in Charge Monique Y. Villegas of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives joined the U.S. Attorney and the DEA in announcing the results of the investigation.
In announcing the results of the investigation, U.S. Attorney Anderson said, “This investigation and resulting prosecutions are about taking control of our streets. The charges filed and drugs seized as the result of this investigation demonstrate the success of the collaborative efforts of our federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies to root out drug traffickers operating in New Mexico. Through today’s law enforcement action sends a clear message to those who traffic drugs in our communities that they cannot commit crimes in New Mexico without consequence.”
“Drug trafficking organizations have preyed upon the citizens of Las Vegas, New Mexico, for far too long,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Williamson. “By having charges brought against these alleged drug traffickers, the DEA and its law enforcement partners are working to stop the harm, and to make the Las Vegas community a safer place to live and work.”
The charges against the defendants are the result of an investigation that began in 2017, and initially targeted Padilla, the alleged source of supply and leader of a drug trafficking organization operating in Las Vegas and Albuquerque that allegedly distributed cocaine, cocaine base (more commonly known as “crack”), heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement authorities seized or documented approximately 1.39 kilograms of cocaine, 567 grams of cocaine base, 160 grams of heroin, 2.68 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 2,000 fentanyl pills. Investigators also recovered more than 30 firearms and seized approximately $14,000 in cash.
The charges against the 12 defendants are contained in an indictment that was filed under seal by a federal grand jury on Sept. 11, 2019, and was unsealed yesterday. According to the indictment and other court filings, Padilla allegedly led a New Mexico-based drug distribution network operating in several locations, including Albuquerque and Las Vegas, that distributed cocaine, “crack,” methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl. Court filings allege that Padilla’s co-defendants participated in the network by distributing illegal controlled substances for profit. The indictment also charges a defendant with violating the federal firearms laws by possessing a firearm and ammunition after having been convicted of multiple felony offenses.
“The members of this drug trafficking organization have been charged with distributing dangerous narcotics. IRS-CI is fully committed in assisting DEA and other law enforcement agencies to dismantle drug organizations by tracing and seizing the monies they earn from trafficking drugs,” stated IRS Special Agent in Charge Nevarez.
“ATF is committed along with our law enforcement partners to removing these career criminals off the streets,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Villegas. “We will use every means necessary to pursue and prosecute in federal court these violent criminals that try to victimize our community.”
Seven defendants who were arrested yesterday morning made their initial appearances in federal court in Albuquerque yesterday afternoon. Two other defendants were arrested today and will make their initial appearances in federal court on Monday. All nine arrested defendants will remain in federal custody pending detention hearings scheduled for next week. One other defendant is in state custody on unrelated charges, and will be transferred to federal custody to face the charges in the indictment. The remaining two defendants have yet to be arrested and are considered fugitives.
Summary of the Charges
Count 1 of the indictment charges all 12 defendants with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction varies for each defendant.
Count 2 of the indictment charges one defendant with distributing 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is not less than five years or more than 40 years in prison.
Counts 3 and 6 of the indictment charge certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction for each count is up to 20 years in prison.
Count 4 of the indictment charges a defendant with distribution of fentanyl. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is up to 20 years in prison.
Counts 5, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 18 of the indictment charge certain defendants with distribution of cocaine. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction on each count is up to 20 years in prison.
Counts 7 and 13 of the indictment each charge certain defendants with possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction on each count is up to 20 years in prison.
Count 8 of the indictment charges one defendant with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is up to 10 years in prison. However, if the Armed Career Criminal Act is found to apply to the defendant, the maximum statutory penalty is not less 15 years or more than life in prison.
Count 9 the indictment charges a defendant with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is not less than five years or more than 40 years in prison.
Count 10 the indictment charges a defendant with possession with intent to distribute heroin. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is up to 20 years in prison.
Count 12 of the indictment charges a defendant with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is not less 5 years or more than 40 years in prison.
Count 17 of the indictment charges a defendant with distribution of cocaine base. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is not less 10 years or more than life in prison.
Count 19 of the indictment charges certain defendants with distribution of cocaine base. The maximum statutory penalty on conviction is not less 5 years or more than 40 years in prison.
Charges Against Defendants
Robert Padilla, 42, of Albuquerque, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 3-5, 11-12, and 14-19. Padilla was arrested yesterday morning and is in custody.
Rose Ann Romero, 36, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in Count 1. Romero was arrested yesterday morning and is in custody.
Jonathan Vigil, 27, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in Count 1. Vigil was arrested yesterday morning and is in custody.
Robert Hockman, 35, of Rio Rancho, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, 2, and 10. Hockman was arrested earlier today and is in custody.
Marcos Ruiz, 40, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in Count 1 and 13. Ruiz is in state custody on other charges. He will be transferred into federal custody to face the charges in the federal indictment.
Luis Sanchez, 31, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in Counts 1, and 8-9. Sanchez was arrested yesterday morning and is in custody.
Ashley Romero, 27, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in count 1. Romero has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.
Tomas Sanchez, 36, of Albuquerque, N.M., is charged in counts 1, and 6-7. Sanchez was arrested yesterday morning and is in custody.
Amanda Silva, 33, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in counts 1 and 14. Silva was arrested yesterday morning and is in custody.
Sergio Valdez, 28, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in counts 1 and 11. Valdez has yet to be arrested and is considered a fugitive.
Genevive Atencio, 24, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in counts 1, and 18-19. Atencio was arrested yesterday morning and is in custody.
Janaya Atencio, 25, of Las Vegas, N.M., is charged in counts 1, and 18-19. Atencio was arrested earlier today and is in custody.
Charges in indictments are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Individuals with information regarding Ashley Romero and Sergio Valdez are asked to contact the DEA at (505) 452-4500.
The Albuquerque office of the DEA led the investigation leading to the charges in the indictment. DEA received assistance with the investigation and apprehension of the defendants from several federal law enforcement partners, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services, and the El Paso and Las Cruces offices of DEA. DEA task force officers from the Albuquerque Police Department, Pueblo of Laguna Police Department, Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department, and Valencia County Sheriff’s Office also contributed along with the New Mexico State Police, New Mexico Region IV Narcotics High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Task Force, New Mexico Office of the Inspector General, San Miguel County Sheriff’s Office, and Las Vegas Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kristopher N. Houghton and Robert I. Goldaris are prosecuting the defendants as part of the OCDETF Program.
