Joe Alex Abeita III, 33, of Bosque Farms was sentenced to 38 months in prison on Tuesday, Sept. 5, after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on March 21, 2023.
According to court documents, on March 3, 2022, tribal police officers attempted to arrest Abeita for an outstanding federal arrest warrant for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Officers initiated the arrest outside the Isleta Tribal Court building after he met with his probation officer.
Abeita initially complied before changing his mind and attempting to flee. When officers apprehended him, Abeita continued to resist and moved his hand near his front waistband, which led officers to believe he was reaching for a weapon. When they had successfully secured him, officers asked Abeita if he had any weapons on his person and he admitted that he had a firearm on his leg.
Officers determined that the firearm was loaded with a round chambered. This was the second time Abeita possessed a firearm within a span of six months.
Abeita was previously convicted of use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence in 2012. As a previously convicted felon, Abeita cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
Upon his release from prison, Abeita will be subject to three years of supervised release.
The Valencia County News-Bulletin is a locally owned and operated community newspaper, dedicated to serving Valencia County since 1910 through the highest journalistic and professional business standards. The VCNB is published weekly on Thursdays, including holidays both in print and online.
707
April 25, 2024
