A Carlsbad man pleaded guilty Thursday afternoon in federal court in Las Cruces to violating federal narcotics trafficking and firearms laws.
Under the terms of his plea agreement, Johnny Joe Crowley, 50, of Carlsbad, will be sentenced within the range of 84 and 96 months in federal prison, followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.
Crowley was arrested July 28, 2015, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm on March 10, 2015, in Eddy County. On that day, the Pecos Valley Drug Task Force (PVDTF) executed a search warrant on Crowley’s residence, seizing approximately $3,248 in cash, a loaded handgun, ammunition, and approximately 13.75 grams of methamphetamine.
Crowley was indicted Dec. 9, 2015, and charged with possession of meth with intent to distribute and being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. At the time, Crowley was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to previous felony convictions including aggravated assault, receiving stolen property, distribution of meth, criminal damage to property, failure to appear, felon in possession of a firearm, escape from the custody of a peace officer, and conspiracy.
Crowley remains in federal custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
The case was investigated by the Las Cruces Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the PVDTF. The PVDTF is comprised of officers with the Eddy County Sheriff’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department and Artesia Police Department, and is part of the HIDTA Region VI Drug Task Force.
