Convicted Felon Charged with Unlawful Possession of 36 Firearms and Ammunition
ALBUQUERQUE - David Ausborn Hiles, 48, of La Luz, N.M., has been charged with violating the federal firearms laws in a criminal complaint filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. During proceedings in federal court in Las Cruces, N.M., earlier today, Hiles pleaded not guilty to the charges in the criminal complaint, and was ordered detained pending trial based on a judicial finding that he poses a danger to the community.
The criminal complaint charges Hiles with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. It alleges that Hiles unlawfully possessed 36 firearms and ammunition at his residence in Otero County, N.M., on Nov. 25, 2014. According to the criminal complaint, the New Mexico State Police found the firearms and ammunition while executing a search warrant at Hiles’ residence. In Nov. 2014, Hiles was prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition because he previously has been convicted of the felony offense of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
If convicted of the charges in the criminal complaint, Hiles faces up to ten years in federal prison. Charges in criminal complaints are mere accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Mexico State Police, with assistance from the 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office for the State of New Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
