A Roswell man pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Las Cruces to methamphetamine trafficking charges under a plea agreement with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Jason Martinez, 27, and his co-defendant, Joseph Vallejos, 23, also of Roswell, were charged in September 2015 with conspiracy and possession of meth with intent to distribute in Chaves County. Between Sept. 10 and Sept. 16, 2015, the two sold quantities of meth to an undercover agent totaling 87g. Vallejos was also charged with possession of a firearm during the Sept. 16 transaction.
The pair was subsequently indicted Dec. 17, 2015. The indictment included a requirement that Martinez and Vallejos forfeit $3,000 to the U.S. government.
Martinez pleaded guilty Thursday and faces a statutory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in federal prison, followed by no less than four years of supervised release. He remains in custody pending a sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
Vallejos has entered a not guilty plea and remains in custody pending a June 20 trial.
The case was investigated by the Las Cruces Office of the DEA and the New Mexico State Police.
