A Farmington man was charged in federal court on Apr. 27 after allegedly selling firearms and ammunition to an undercover law enforcement officer.
Court documents state that Pete Kimbell, 41, spoke to an undercover officer from the New Mexico Region II Narcotics Task Force on September 14, 2025. During the conversation, Kimbell reportedly used coded language and indicated he had several firearms for sale. The following day, the officer met Kimbell at a residence in Kirtland where surveillance units were present and the officer wore a covert recording device.
During this meeting, the undercover officer observed and purchased multiple firearms and boxes of ammunition from Kimbell for about $2,100. As a convicted felon, Kimbell is not allowed to possess firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Kimbell has been charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. He will remain in custody until his detention hearing scheduled for April 29. If found guilty of this charge, he could face up to fifteen years in prison.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, announced these charges. The FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force led the investigation with help from several local law enforcement agencies including the Farmington Police Department and San Juan County Sheriff’s Office.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Elena Stiteler. Officials remind that "a criminal complaint is merely an allegation" and that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
