Deming teen charged in federal drug, firearms and immigration cases

19-year-old allegedly sold cocaine and a modified automatic weapon to an undercover officer, later fled Border Patrol checkpoint near Las Cruces

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - A Deming teenager is facing federal charges in two separate cases after allegedly selling cocaine and a modified firearm capable of automatic fire to an undercover officer, then fleeing from a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint west of Las Cruces during a high-speed incident.

According to court documents, on Feb. 11, an undercover agent bought cocaine from Gerald Anthony Lopez, 19. During the transaction, Lopez allegedly displayed a firearm with an extended magazine and a machine gun conversion device, offering to sell it for $1,300 with the device or $1,000 without. He claimed he could supply additional weapons, conversion devices and narcotics.

On Feb. 20, Lopez again met with the agent, selling cocaine and the modified firearm for $1,300. He allegedly demonstrated the conversion device and confirmed the extended magazine was loaded with 30 rounds.

Lopez is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a machine gun, possession of an unregistered machine gun and possession of a firearm without a serial number. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.

In a separate case, Lopez is accused of high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint. On May 6, Border Patrol agents encountered Lopez at the Interstate 10 checkpoint west of Las Cruces and detected the odor of cannabis. After initially consenting to a canine inspection, Lopez allegedly fled at high speed from the secondary inspection area.

Agents alerted nearby units, and Lopez was stopped on Highway 549 near Ventura Road by Border Patrol agents from Deming. If convicted in this case, he faces up to five years in prison.

The firearms case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the New Mexico State Police. The U.S. Border Patrol El Paso Sector is investigating the immigration-related offense. Both cases are being prosecuted by the Las Cruces Branch Office of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico.