A Deming man has been sentenced to 39 months in prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. There is no parole in the federal system.
Court documents reveal that on April 21, 2024, deputies from the Catron County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Wilfrido Saenz, aged 27. During the stop, officers discovered a hypodermic needle containing methamphetamine residue on Saenz's person. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered a loaded handgun in the center console.
Saenz was previously on supervised release following a federal conviction for transporting illegal aliens. He admitted to knowingly possessing the firearm and ammunition despite his status as a convicted felon.
Upon completion of his prison term, Saenz will be subject to two years of supervised release.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso.
Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation with support from the Catron County Sheriff's Office and United States Border Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alyson R. Hehr is prosecuting the case.
