Federal authorities have charged four individuals with unlawful possession of firearms and related offenses following a series of law enforcement operations across New Mexico. The announcement was made on March 6, revealing the culmination of investigations led by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
On February 25, HSI special agents executed a search warrant at an apartment in Albuquerque. During the search, agents recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine in one bedroom. A witness identified the firearm as belonging to Maikol Ramos, a Venezuelan national unlawfully present in the United States. Ramos faces charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
In another room, agents found another loaded pistol under a bed. Antoni Herrera, also a Venezuelan national illegally residing in the U.S., admitted ownership of the weapon. He claimed it was received as payment for a debt two weeks prior. Herrera is similarly charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Earlier on February 19, HSI executed another federal search warrant at Raul Esparza-Gonzalez's residence in Espanola. Agents discovered 11 firearms, including pistols and rifles. Esparza-Gonzalez confessed to purchasing these weapons privately despite knowing it was illegal due to his status as an illegal alien who had previously been deported to Mexico six years ago. He now faces charges for being an alien in possession of firearms.
In January 2025, HSI initiated an investigation into Cristhian Ortega-Lopez after receiving an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez, suspected of affiliation with Tren de Aragua and unlawfully present from Venezuela since December 2023, allegedly possessed firearms while residing with other illegal aliens in Las Cruces. Social media evidence depicted him handling multiple firearms at a shooting range there. Ortega-Lopez is charged with being an illegal alien in possession of firearms or ammunition.
All four men are currently held pending trial without scheduled dates yet set. If convicted on current charges, each could face up to 15 years imprisonment.
The ATF provided assistance during this investigation alongside support from local agencies including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office, Albuquerque Police Department, and New Mexico State Police.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley, Patrick Cordova, Maria Armijo, and Ry Ellison are leading prosecution efforts for these cases.
