Defendant Prosecuted Under Federal “Worst of the Worst" Anti-Violence Initiative
ALBUQUERQUE - Marcos Anthony Correa, 30, of San Bernardino, Calif., entered a guilty plea today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Correa will be sentenced within the range of 180 to 300 months followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez, 8th Judicial District Attorney Donald Gallegos, Special Agent in Charge Will R. Glaspy of the DEA’s El Paso Division, Special Agent in Charge Thomas G. Atteberry of the Phoenix Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Chief Pete N. Kassetas of the New Mexico State Police.
Correa was charged in a four-count indictment filed on Aug. 12, 2014, with (1) possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, (2) possession of heroin with intent to distribute, (3) possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and (4) being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was subsequently superseded on Sept. 9, 2014, to reflect an increase of the quantity of methamphetamine involved in Count 4.
According to the superseding indictment, Correa committed the offenses on May 30, 2014, in Colfax County, N.M. At the time, Correa was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of multiple felony offenses, including evading a peace officer, possession of a controlled substance for sale, transporting a controlled substance with a participation in a criminal street gang enhancement and possession of heroin, resisting an officer.
Court records reflect that Correa was arrested on May 30, 2015, on related-state charges filed in the 8th Judicial District Court for the State of New Mexico (Colfax County, N.M.). The state charges were dismissed after the federal charges were filed.
Today, Correa pled guilty to Counts 1 and 3 of the superseding indictment, which charged him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In entering the guilty plea, Correa admitted that on May 30, 2014, he possessed 87.3 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine that he intended to deliver to another person. He further admitted possessing a semiautomatic pistol and ammunition in order to protect himself and his drugs in the event someone tried to rob him.
Correa has been in custody since his arrest and will remain detained pending a sentencing hearing which has yet to be scheduled.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque offices of the DEA and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the New Mexico State Police, with assistance from the 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting this case pursuant to 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
