An Artesia resident has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and fentanyl. Sammie Joe Peralta, 49, was convicted after selling 859 grams of pure methamphetamine and fentanyl pills to an undercover Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agent at a gas station in Artesia, New Mexico, on April 3, 2024. When arrested, Peralta was also found with three handguns and an additional 126 grams of pure methamphetamine.
Peralta pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. After completing his prison sentence, he will be subject to five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Jason T. Stevens, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations – El Paso. “Homeland Security Investigations investigated this case with assistance from Pecos Valley Drug Task Force, and the Eddy County Sherrif’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kirk Williams is prosecuting the case,” according to the statement.
The press release notes that it was issued after the conclusion of the federal government shutdown.
