New Mexico man pleads guilty to drug trafficking, weapons charges

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  — A local man entered a guilty plea in federal court Tuesday to firearms charges and trafficking methamphetamine.

This guilty plea resulted from an investigation U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

According to his plea agreement, Jean Claud Mills, 31, of Albuquerque, will be sentenced to 11 years in federal prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Mills was arrested May 16, 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and using and carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Mills was subsequently indicted June 11, 2014, and was additionally charged with being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

According to court records, in May 2014 Mills was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he previously had been convicted of felony offenses, including possession of narcotics with intent to distribute and conspiracy to tamper with evidence.

Additionally, on May 15, 2014, Mills attempted to sell a pound of methamphetamine to undercover detectives with the Albuquerque Police Department for $13,000.  Following his arrest detectives recovered a handgun and two magazines of ammunition from an open glove compartment in Mills’ vehicle. 

During a recent change of plea hearing, Mills admitted that he sold a pound of methamphetamine to the two detectives for $13,000 and was arrested by law enforcement officers before he got into his vehicle to leave the scene. Mills further admitted that on that day he possessed a firearm even though he was a convicted felon on probation. 

Mills has been in federal custody since his arrest and remains detained pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.