Albuquerque, N.M. – On Thursday, August 6, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Violent Crime Task Force (VCTF) arrested David Martinez and Jean Madrid, both of Albuquerque.
In July 2020, the VCTF conducted a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Martinez at his residence, leading to a federal search warrant for the premises. According to the criminal complaint, the defendants allegedly possessed four guns as well as methamphetamine, marijuana, and approximately $5,133 in U.S. currency at the residence when law enforcement agents executed the search warrant.
Martinez and Madrid are charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted, the first two charges carry penalties of up to 20 years. The penalty for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime is 5 years to life. Martinez is also being charged as a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, for which the penalty is up to 10 years. In 2005, Martinez pleaded guilty to the felony offenses of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams and more of cocaine base and carrying and possessing a firearm in relation to and in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
A criminal complaint is only an accusation. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Violent Crime Task Force and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Louis Mattei as part of Operation Legend, a Department of Justice initiative to assist cities with persistently high crime rates. Operation Legend is a sustained and coordinated law enforcement initiative in which the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with state and local law enforcement to prosecute gun and dangerous crimes arising in the City of Albuquerque.
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