Joseph Padilla Pleads Guilty to Federal Narcotics Trafficking Charge

ALBUQUERQUE—Today in United States District Court, Joseph Steven Padilla, 21, of Albuquerque, entered a guilty plea to a heroin trafficking offense under a plea agreement with the United States Attorney’s Office. United States Attorney Kenneth J. Gonzales said that Padilla will be sentenced to a 70-month term of imprisonment to be followed by four years of supervised release under the terms of the plea agreement. Padilla has been in federal custody since his arrest on May 10, 2011, and remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

During today’s plea hearing, Padilla pled guilty to count two of a four-count indictment charging him with the distribution of more than 100 grams of heroin. In his plea agreement, Padilla admitted distributing approximately half a pound of heroin to a confidential informant who was working with law enforcement officials in exchange for $4,800. The distribution occurred on April 21, 2011 in Albuquerque. Under the terms of the agreement, Padilla will pay a money judgment in the amount of $19,200 on or before the date of his sentencing hearing, and will forfeit a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, a 2006 Infiniti QX56, and a 2004 Ford F-150 Supercrew pick-up truck. The remaining three counts of the indictment will be dismissed after Padilla is sentenced.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Albuquerque Police Department, and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Joel R. Meyers and Nicholas J. Ganjei.