ALBUQUERQUE, N.M - Manuel Bolivar, 21, of Albuquerque, New Mexico appeared in federal court in Albuquerque today for an initial appearance on a criminal complaint charging him possession of a machine gun, possession of methamphetamine and fentanyl with intent to distribute, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The FBI Violent Crime Task Force arrested Bolivar at his home in Albuquerque on Feb. 6 while executing a search at the residence with assistance from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office. According to the criminal complaint, Bolivar allegedly possessed more than three pounds of methamphetamine, more than eight pounds of marijuana, 96 fentanyl pills, and 155 packaged strips of suboxone, an opioid medication intended to treat drug addiction. The criminal complaint also alleged Bolivar possessed five handguns, including two stolen pistols, more than $15,000 in cash, a bulletproof vest, and magazines and cartridges of ammunition.
According to the criminal complaint, the FBI also allegedly seized more ammunition and firearms from Bolivar’s home, including a Glock pistol full-auto selector switch, which would allow a user to fire several shots automatically with a single function of the trigger without manually reloading.
Bolivar is in custody pending preliminary and detention hearings scheduled for tomorrow. He faces a minimum of 10 years to life in prison for methamphetamine possession, up to 20 years in prison for fentanyl possession, up to 10 years in prison for possession of a machine gun, and a consecutive sentence of a minimum of five years in prison for possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. A criminal complaint is only an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
The FBI investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office, and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jaymie L. Roybal and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Outler are prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
