A Carlsbad resident with a prior felony conviction has been charged with federal drug trafficking offenses after law enforcement officers found large quantities of illegal drugs at his home earlier this month.
According to court records, on September 3, 2025, agents from the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force executed a search warrant at the residence of Jason Cunningham, age 46. The search led to the discovery of about 1,090 grams of methamphetamine and 56 grams of cocaine. Cunningham was taken into custody and is charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He will remain in detention until his trial date is set. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment.
“Traffickers see only profit, but what they leave behind are broken families and endangered communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison. “These charges reflect our determination to dismantle the networks that exploit addiction and threaten public safety. That work is only possible because of the extraordinary cooperation between federal, state, tribal and local partners who stand together against those who traffic misery.”
“Methamphetamine is one of the most destructive narcotics on the street. This type of crime is an assault on public health and safety, and individuals such as Cunningham profit off human misery.” said Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso. “HSI is united with our law enforcement partners to use every resource at our disposal to cut off their supply chains and hold them accountable.”
“The Eddy County Sheriff’s Office and the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force value our relationships with our federal partners,” said Eddy County Undersheriff Mark Cage. “The Cunningham case investigation and very successful prosecution are a testament to the teamwork it takes to ensure the safety and security of our citizens in Eddy County. Our message is clear: drug trafficking and lawlessness will not be tolerated!”
At the time he was arrested, Cunningham was under supervised release following an 87-month prison sentence for a previous drug conviction from 2017.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison along with Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of HSI El Paso.
Homeland Security Investigations El Paso worked jointly with the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force on this investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Renee Camacho will prosecute the case.
The Pecos Valley Drug Task Force includes members from several agencies: Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Artesia Police Department, Bureau of Land Management; it operates as part of New Mexico’s High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program—a federally funded initiative supporting local efforts against illegal drugs.
A criminal complaint represents only an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt in court.
