DEMING – Gerald Lopez, 20, of Deming has been sentenced to 101 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the sale of cocaine and an illegally modified firearm to an undercover law enforcement officer and a separate high-speed flight from a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice and court documents, the first case began Feb. 11, 2025, when an undercover law enforcement officer purchased cocaine from Lopez.
During that transaction, authorities said Lopez displayed a Glock handgun equipped with an extended magazine and a conversion device, commonly referred to as a “switch,” that made the handgun capable of automatic fire.
Lopez offered to sell the firearm for $1,300 with the conversion device or $1,000 without it, according to federal authorities. Lopez also told the undercover officer he could provide additional firearms, conversion devices and drugs.
Nine days later, on Feb. 20, Lopez again met with an undercover law enforcement officer. During that meeting, authorities said Lopez sold cocaine and the Glock equipped with the conversion device for $1,300.
A separate case involving Lopez occurred May 6, 2025, when he fled from a U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in Luna County after agents referred him to secondary inspection.
According to court documents and Lopez’s plea agreement, he drove away from the checkpoint and led authorities on a high-speed pursuit along Interstate 10. Authorities said Lopez reached speeds of approximately 140 mph during the chase.
Lopez subsequently pleaded guilty to high-speed flight from an immigration checkpoint; using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime; illegal possession of a machine gun; and possession of a firearm not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record.
A federal judge sentenced Lopez to 101 months in prison, or approximately eight years and five months.
Following his release from prison, Lopez will be required to serve three years of supervised release.
John Krehbiel – Bravo Mic Communications News – John@bravomic.com
KMVR Magic 104.9- Playing Today’s Biggest Hits