Last week, Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison led a meeting in Albuquerque with leaders from federal, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies 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 local police chiefs and the county sheriff. Ellison described the region as “ground zero” for violent crime and overdose deaths in New Mexico. He stressed the importance of strong partnerships and an increased federal presence on the ground. “Federal partners cannot solve this problem alone,” Ellison said, but he added that federal law enforcement can lead a sustained effort against these issues. He also warned that offenders would face prosecution and significant federal prison time.
Local officials provided updates on their efforts. Española Police Chief Mizel Garcia highlighted improved collaboration among agencies and identified Mexican cartels as the main public safety threat. Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Chief Freddie Trujillo pointed to successful use of license plate reader technology and joint operations at Buffalo Thunder Resort that resulted in prosecutions through the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Santa Clara Pueblo Police Chief Mitchell Maestas discussed how technology helps offset staffing shortages and praised state actions to close legal loopholes that previously allowed non-Indians to commit crimes on tribal lands without consequence. Rio Arriba County Sheriff Lorenzo Aguilar noted that cartels operate with high levels of organization and discipline, calling for more resources, intelligence sharing, and data from federal partners. He also mentioned state initiatives to deputize tribal officers so they can 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,” he said, emphasizing that “felon in possession” charges carry strong penalties for repeat offenders. The office will also review all A- and B-level drug cases along with every provable fentanyl trafficking case brought forward.
Leaders from federal agencies reinforced their commitment to tackling public safety threats in the area. HSI Special Agent in Charge J.T. Stevens agreed with concerns about cartel communications and promised continued cooperation with local authorities: “True success is measured in safer streets, not statistics.” ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Sarah Mauricio described support ranging from explosives-detection dogs to advanced training programs like eTrace and NIBIN. FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell emphasized a coordinated approach across government agencies, while DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey Armijo pledged additional training for local officers and offered more license plate readers.
Representatives from the U.S. Attorney’s Office outlined internal strategies designed to support these efforts further. Supervisory AUSA Samuel Hurtado committed to being responsive: “We have the ability to pursue cases the state cannot.” Deputy Supervisory AUSA Paul Mysliwiec offered guidance on which types of cases should be sent for federal prosecution by local or tribal law enforcement agencies. Supervisory AUSA Matthew McGinley announced a greater focus on drug trafficking within Indian Country along with an expanded tribal liaison program supported by victim-witness specialists. Deputy Supervisory AUSA Lou Mattei encouraged early engagement between local agencies and federal authorities because even low-level drug crimes can reveal larger cartel activities.
Sheriff Aguilar closed by noting that criminals do not respect jurisdictional boundaries; therefore, law enforcement must work together across those lines as well. Leaders concluded that only a coordinated strategy—supported by federal resources, tough prosecution policies, and close collaboration—can improve public safety outcomes for Española and Rio Arriba County.
