Last week, Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison led a meeting in Albuquerque with federal, tribal, and local law enforcement officials to discuss strategies for addressing violent crime and drug trafficking in Española and Rio Arriba County.
The session included representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), as well as police chiefs from Española, Santa Clara Pueblo, Pueblo of Pojoaque, and the Rio Arriba County Sheriff.
Ellison described the area as “ground zero” for violent crime and overdose deaths in New Mexico. He stressed the importance of strong partnerships and increased federal involvement: “While acknowledging that federal partners cannot solve the problem alone, he underscored that federal law enforcement can lead a sustained effort.” Ellison warned that offenders would face prosecution and significant federal prison sentences.
Local law enforcement leaders provided updates on their efforts. Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia highlighted enhanced cooperation among agencies and identified Mexican cartels as the main public safety threat. Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Chief Freddie Trujillo pointed to successful prosecutions stemming from joint operations at Buffalo Thunder Resort using license plate reader technology. Santa Clara Pueblo Police Chief Mitchell Maestas noted that new technology helps address staffing shortages and praised state measures closing legal loopholes previously exploited by non-Indians on tribal lands. Rio Arriba County Sheriff Lorenzo Aguilar emphasized cartel organization and called for more resources from federal partners; he also discussed state initiatives allowing tribal officers to arrest non-Indians.
In response to these concerns, Ellison announced expanded priorities for his office: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will now consider accepting all provable firearm cases,” including those involving repeat offenders under “felon in possession” charges. The office will also take all A- and B-level drug cases as well as every provable fentanyl trafficking case brought forward.
Federal agency leaders reaffirmed their support for local efforts. HSI Special Agent in Charge J.T. Stevens echoed worries about cartel communications networks and promised continued cooperation with local authorities: “True success is measured in safer streets, not statistics.” ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sarah Mauricio outlined available resources such as an explosives-detection K9 unit, eTrace systems, NIBIN database access, and advanced training opportunities. FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell called for a “whole of government” approach with close interagency coordination. DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Armijo committed to providing more training for local officers to help build stronger federal cases along with additional license plate readers.
Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office shared internal plans supporting these initiatives. Supervisory AUSA Samuel Hurtado (Violent and General Crimes) said his team would be responsive to referrals where state prosecution is not possible. Deputy Supervisory AUSA Paul Mysliwiec (Violent and General Crimes) offered guidance on which cases should be sent to federal prosecutors. Supervisory AUSA Matthew McGinley (Indian Country Crimes) announced greater focus on drug trafficking within Indian Country alongside an expanded tribal liaison program supported by victim-witness specialists. Deputy Supervisory AUSA Lou Mattei (Narcotics and Organized Crime) encouraged early collaboration with federal agencies since even minor drug offenses could reveal larger cartel activity.
Sheriff Aguilar concluded by noting that criminals do not respect jurisdictional boundaries so law enforcement must also work across those lines: “Only a coordinated, multi-pronged strategy backed by federal resources, tough prosecution, and close collaboration can improve public safety in Española and Rio Arriba County.”
