Drug Addict from Grant County, N.M., Charged with Violating Federal Firearms Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – This afternoon, a U.S. Magistrate Judge sitting in Las Cruces, N.M, ordered a resident of Grant County, N.M., who is charged with being a drug addict in possession of firearms and ammunition, detained pending trial based on findings that he poses a danger to the community.

Richard G. Dinwiddie, 57, of Cliff, N.M., was arrested on Feb. 6, 2018, and was charged with being an unlawful user of controlled substances in possession of firearms and ammunition in a criminal complaint filed on Feb. 7, 2018.  According to the complaint, federal and local law enforcement officers executed a federal search warrant at Dinwiddie’s residence on Feb. 5, 2018, and allegedly found approximately 6.2 grams of methamphetamine, 64.6 grams of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, six firearms, and approximately 1,000 rounds of assorted ammunition.  The complaint further alleges that Dinwiddie has been a methamphetamine user for approximately two years. 

Dinwiddie made his initial appearance in federal court on Feb. 12, 2018.  During this afternoon’s proceedings, Dinwiddie waived his right to a preliminary hearing on whether there was probable cause to support the charge in the criminal complaint.

If convicted of the charge in the criminal complaint, Dinwiddie faces a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison.  Charges in criminal complaints are merely accusations and criminal defendants are presumed innocent unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case was investigated by the Las Cruces office of the FBI, the New Mexico State Police, the Catron County Sheriff’s Office, the Grant County Sheriff's Office and the Silver City Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Marisa A. Ong of the U.S. Attorney’s Las Cruces Branch Office is prosecuting the case.