Oklahoma man pleads guilty to narcotics trafficking charge in NM

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An Oklahoma man pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court to methamphetamine trafficking, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

The charge to which Ruben Fuentes Jr., 38, of Oklahoma City, pleaded guilty stemmed from a seizure of more than 13 lbs. of methamphetamine during a traffic stop.

Fuentes was arrested March 22 on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The criminal complaint alleged that Fuentes committed the crime March 10 in Quay County, New Mexico. According to the criminal complaint, New Mexico State Police (NMSP) officers found about 13.45 lbs. of methamphetamine in Fuentes’ vehicle during a traffic stop. Fuentes was subsequently indicted on the same charge April 12. 

During the Sept. 28 proceedings, Fuentes pleaded guilty to a felony information charging him with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. In entering the guilty plea, Fuentes admitted that on March 10, when he was stopped by NMSP in Quay County, he possessed methamphetamine that he intended to distribute to others.

At sentencing, Fuentes faces a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.  He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

NMSP participated in this investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec, District of New Mexico, is prosecuting this case.