NM man pleads guilty to federal charges stemming from 45-pound methamphetamine seizure

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A New Mexico man pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges.

Special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case.

David Krowner, 42, from Estancia, New Mexico, will be sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court, according to the terms of the plea agreement.

Krowner was arrested in June 2016 on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute, and using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes.  According to the criminal complaint, the investigation into Krowner began June 1, 2016, when HSI received information that Krowner was transporting large quantities of illegal drugs into the Albuquerque area.

HSI special agents and Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers arrested Krowner in Albuquerque June 17, 2016, after searching his vehicle and discovering a large bin containing 20.7 kilograms (45.6 pounds) of methamphetamine, 1.8 kilograms (about 4 pounds) of heroin, two bags of unidentified pills, seven packages of steroids, two handguns, a shotgun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.  They also seized about $21,750 from the vehicle and another $4,500 from a pocket of Krowner’s pants.

Krowner was indicted on these charges June 30, 2016. The four-count indictment charged him with possessing methamphetamine and heroin with intent to distribute, being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition, and using and carrying firearms in relation to drug trafficking crimes.  The indictment charged Krowner with committing these crimes June 17, 2016, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, and included forfeiture provisions requiring Krowner to forfeit $26,250 to the United States.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, Krowner pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  In entering his guilty plea, Krowner admitted that on June 17, 2016, HSI special agents and Albuquerque police officers found about 20.7 kilograms of methamphetamine, eight firearms, and multiple rounds of ammunition in Krowner’s vehicle during a traffic stop.  In his plea agreement, Krowner admitted that he was a convicted felon at the time of the traffic stop, having previously been convicted of a drug trafficking offense and armed robbery.

Krowner remains in custody federal pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by HSI’s Border Enforcement and Security Task Force (BEST), which includes Albuquerque police officers, and APD’s Central Narcotics Unit. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney George Kraehe, District of New Mexico, is prosecuting this case.