Albuquerque woman charged with drug trafficking and assaulting a federal officer

               ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Sarah Patricia Loya, 22, of Albuquerque, made an initial appearance in federal court on Feb. 2 where she was charged with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and assaulting a federal officer. Loya will remain detained pending a preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb. 4.

              According to a criminal complaint, on January 29, Loya allegedly agreed to meet a person, who was in fact an undercover law enforcement agent, for Loya to sell 25 fentanyl pills. After the transaction was complete and law enforcement officers attempted to detain Loya’s vehicle, Loya allegedly attempted to avoid arrest by accelerating her vehicle into a concrete barrier. When that attempt failed, an agent wearing a clearly marked police insignia approached Loya, identified himself as police and commanded Loya to stop the vehicle. Loya allegedly ignored those commands and attempted to accelerate through law enforcement vehicles.

              Loya allegedly collided with a vehicle with a task force officer inside. At that point agents were able to detain Loya’s vehicle. Though Loya allegedly resisted, agents were able to subdue her and she was arrested.

              A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Loya faces up to twenty years in prison.

              The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Albuquerque Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Eicker is prosecuting the case.