A man from Albuquerque, Jerry Bezie, 36, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for drug trafficking and firearms offenses. The sentencing follows an investigation by the FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force, which began after Bezie displayed gang affiliation, firearms, and illicit wealth on social media.
According to court documents, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Bezie’s South Valley residence on March 23, 2023. Agents found a loaded pistol under a bag of Xanax pills in the master bedroom area. They also discovered blue fentanyl pills marked “M-30” near the toilet and a backpack containing crystal methamphetamine next to a semi-automatic assault rifle. Another pistol was located beside a bag of cash. Outside the home, agents found about 114,000 fentanyl pills inside a diaper box in Bezie’s Hummer H2.
Investigators seized more than seven kilograms of methamphetamine, over 100,000 fentanyl pills, $64,000 in cash, multiple firearms, and body armor from the property.
While detained at Cibola County Correctional Center awaiting trial, Bezie continued criminal activity by trafficking drugs within the facility and participating in an assault on a correctional officer.
Bezie pled guilty to several charges: possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine; possessing a firearm during drug trafficking; and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Upon release from prison he will serve five years of supervised release.
As part of his sentence Bezie must forfeit $64,000 in cash as well as vehicles including a 2018 Polaris Slingshot motorcycle and CanAm ATV; two trailers; his Albuquerque residence; five firearms; hundreds of rounds of ammunition; ballistic vests; jewelry; money counter; and seven cell phones.
“There is no parole in the federal system,” according to officials.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: “The FBI’s Violent Gang Task Force (VGTF) investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and New Mexico State Police.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Mysliwiec prosecuted the case.
