NM man pleads guilty to violating federal firearms, drug trafficking laws

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An Albuquerque man pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to violating federal firearms and drug trafficking laws.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case.

Jeffrey Burlingame, 59, was arrested in February 2016 on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The complaint alleged that Burlingame committed the crime Feb. 24, 2016, in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.

According to the complaint, HSI special agents executed a search warrant Feb. 24 at the Albuquerque residence of another person. Special agents seized methamphetamine, cash, firearms, ammunition and drug paraphernalia from Burlingame, who was present at the time the search warrant was executed.

Burlingame was indicted March 23 and charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime on Feb. 24, 2016, in Bernalillo County.

During Monday’s proceedings, Burlingame pleaded guilty to carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.  In entering the guilty plea, Burlingame admitted that on Feb. 24, 2016, he possessed 450.55 grams (about one pound) of pure methamphetamine and a firearm and ammunition when HSI special agents executed a search warrant at an Albuquerque residence.

At sentencing, Burlingame faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the methamphetamine charge. He also faces a mandatory minimum penalty of five years and a maximum of life in prison on the firearms charge that must run consecutively to the sentence imposed on the methamphetamine charge. Burlingame remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

The Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office assisted with investigating this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alexander M. Uballez, District of New Mexico.