NM man sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to methamphetamine trafficking, firearms charges

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A New Mexico man was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison Wednesday after pleading guilty the same day to methamphetamine trafficking and firearm charges.

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

Casey Wayne Stallings, 30, of Kirtland, New Mexico, was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison according to the terms of his plea agreement. His co-defendant, Jessica Chance Lucero, 25, also of Kirtland, pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony.

Stallings and Lucero were arrested May 22, 2014 following their indictment charging them with methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges. Both were charged with conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime, and being felons in possession of a firearm. According to the indictment, Stallings and Lucero committed five offenses in San Juan County, New Mexico, Jan. 27, 2014. 

During Wednesday’s change of plea hearing, Stallings pleaded guilty to conspiracy and possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. In his plea agreement, Stallings admitted he was a drug dealer and that on Jan. 27, 2014 he possessed a large quantity of methamphetamine at his residence that he intended to sell to his drug customers. He also admitted that he kept a firearm in his residence to protect himself from drug customers and other drug dealers who might try to rob him.  Stallings also admitted he was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to his previous felony convictions for robbery, possessing a controlled substance, possessing marijuana, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. 

Lucero pleaded guilty to an information charging her with misprision of a felony.  She admitted that on Jan. 27, 2014 she failed to report to law enforcement that Stallings was committing federal felony offenses at their residence. More specifically, Lucero admitted knowing that Stallings was selling methamphetamine out of their residence and that he illegally possessed a firearm despite his status as a convicted felon. 

Under the terms of his plea agreement, Stallings’s 15-year-prison sentence will be followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.  Lucero faces a statutory maximum penalty of three years in federal prison.  Their sentencing hearings have yet to be scheduled.