ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Shane Alderete, 46, of Albuquerque, was arraigned in federal court today on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Alderete will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.
A federal grand jury indicted Alderete on Feb. 8. According to the indictment and other court records, on Dec. 2, 2021, a Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy, who is an officer for the FBI’s Albuquerque Violent Crime Gang Task Force, performed a traffic stop on Alderete’s vehicle. After the deputy activated the lights on his marked patrol vehicle, Alderete allegedly continued at a low rate of speed for approximately two blocks before stopping.
After the deputy asked Alderete to get out of the vehicle, the deputy observed a firearm in the vehicle. The vehicle was sealed, towed and later searched. During the search, a loaded firearm and additional ammunition were recovered from the vehicle.
Alderete was previously convicted of two counts of possession of a controlled substance and three counts of trafficking of a controlled substance. As a previously convicted felon, Alderete cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition.
An indictment is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Alderete faces up to ten years in prison.
The Violent Crime Gang Task Force investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Niki Tapia-Brito is prosecuting the case.
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