ALBUQUERQUE – Steven Morales, 38, of Albuquerque, N.M., pled guilty today in federal court to violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a round of ammunition. At sentencing, Morales faces a maximum penalty of ten years of imprisonment unless the court determines that he is an armed career criminal. In that event, Morales will face an enhanced sentence of a statutory mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum of life imprisonment.
Morales is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders primarily based on their prior criminal convictions for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.
Morales was arrested in July 2015, on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of ammunition on Jan. 28, 2015 in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the indictment, Morales was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his numerous felony convictions. According to court filings, Morales has at least five felony convictions for offenses involving burglary, larceny, criminal damage, receiving stolen property, escape from jail, possession of methamphetamine, disarming a police officer, and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer.
During proceedings, Morales pled guilty to the indictment without the benefit of a plea agreement. Morales remains in custody pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.
