El Paso Standard

Federal authorities have announced charges against four individuals for unlawful possession of firearms and related offenses. The charges follow a series of law enforcement operations across New Mexico.

On February 25, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents executed a search warrant at an apartment in Albuquerque, where they recovered a loaded pistol with an extended magazine in one bedroom. A witness identified the firearm as belonging to Maikol Ramos, a Venezuelan national unlawfully present in the United States. Ramos faces charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

In another bedroom, agents found another loaded pistol and ammunition under a bed. Antoni Herrera, also confirmed to be unlawfully present in the United States from Venezuela, admitted ownership of the firearm, which he had received as payment for a debt two weeks prior. Herrera is similarly charged with being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

On February 19, HSI executed another federal search warrant at Raul Esparza-Gonzalez's residence in Espanola. Agents discovered 11 firearms there. Esparza-Gonzalez admitted to purchasing the firearms privately despite knowing it was illegal for him to possess them due to his previous deportation and illegal re-entry into the United States six years ago. He is charged with being an alien in possession of a firearm.

In January 2025, HSI began investigating Cristhian Ortega-Lopez after receiving an anonymous tip. Ortega-Lopez, also from Venezuela and suspected of affiliation with Tren de Aragua, was allegedly residing with other illegal aliens in Las Cruces and possessed firearms. He entered the United States illegally on December 15, 2023, and was released pending removal proceedings. Social media evidence showed him possessing multiple firearms at a shooting range in Las Cruces. Ortega-Lopez faces charges for being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm or ammunition.

All four men remain in custody pending trial. If convicted, they each face up to 15 years in prison.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted with the investigation alongside enforcement assistance from various local law enforcement agencies.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley, Patrick Cordova, Maria Armijo, and Ry Ellison are prosecuting these cases.