ALBUQUERQUE - Jerry J. Barrera, 30, of Roswell, N.M., pleaded guilty this afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Barrera 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.
Barrera was arrested in March 2014, based on a criminal complaint alleging that he unlawfully possessed a firearm and ammunition on Feb. 26, 2014, in Chaves County, N.M. Barrera subsequently was indicted on that same charge on June 18, 2014. Barrera was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition in Feb. 2014, because he previously had been convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
Barrera has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled. At sentencing, Barrera faces a statutory maximum penalty of ten years in prison.
This case was investigated by the Roswell office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Chaves County Metro Narcotics Task Force with assistance from the 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
