Las Cruces man pleads guilty to federal fentanyl trafficking, firearms charges
Kenneth Manuel Aguirre, 44, of Las Cruces pleaded guilty to federal fentanyl trafficking and firearms charges. He faces five years to life in prison.
Kenneth Manuel Aguirre, 44, admitted to possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and federal firearms offenses after investigators recovered drugs and a loaded gun during a 2025 traffic stop.
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - A 44-year-old Las Cruces man has pleaded guilty to federal drug trafficking and firearms charges after authorities found approximately 57.4 grams of fentanyl and a loaded gun in his vehicle during an August 2025 traffic stop in Doña Ana County.
Kenneth Manuel Aguirre pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime, according to a Nov. 5 announcement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico.
Aguirre faces a sentence of at least five years and up to life in federal prison. A sentencing date was not provided.
Drugs and loaded firearm recovered
According to federal court documents described by prosecutors, Aguirre knowingly possessed two firearms and ammunition on July 5, 2025, despite a previous felony conviction that prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition.
On Aug. 13, 2025, law enforcement officers stopped Aguirre in Doña Ana County because of an active arrest warrant.
During a search of his vehicle, investigators found approximately 57.4 grams of fentanyl in the center console along with a loaded firearm, prosecutors said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office did not identify the circumstances surrounding the earlier arrest warrant or specify when Aguirre would be sentenced.
Multiple agencies investigated
The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI's Albuquerque Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, Las Cruces/Doña Ana Metro Narcotics and the Las Cruces Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez is prosecuting the case.
The guilty plea was announced Thursday by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and FBI Albuquerque Field Office Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris.
