Albuquerque, NM

A 23-year-old man, Arthur Steven Stewart, is facing federal charges for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. A judge ordered Stewart to remain in custody during his initial court appearance on Wednesday, June 26th, 2024.

On January 24, 2024, according to the indictment, a search uncovered a gun and ammunition in Stewart’s possession. This violated a previous conviction for robbery, which bars him from owning firearms.

If found guilty, Stewart could face up to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

Federal and Local Collaboration on Crime

The investigation leading to these charges involved a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Albuquerque Police Department. This collaboration reflects a broader program between the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Haynes is prosecuting this case.

Through this program, designated prosecutors from the local district attorney’s office work as Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys (SAUSAs). Their role is to review felony cases in Bernalillo County and identify potential federal gun charges, prioritizing those linked to violent crime in Albuquerque. This initiative has been highly successful, with the U.S. Attorney’s Office reviewing nearly 3,000 cases and filing charges in over 300 cases since its launch in 2020. The program is planned to expand throughout New Mexico.

You can read the federal indictment here.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Bynewsdesk

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