ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)), published as received.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Michael Anthony Hernandez, 44, of Albuquerque, appeared in federal court for a detention hearing on Dec. 16 on charges of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and maintaining a drug-involved premises. Hernandez will remain in custody pending trial.
According to a criminal complaint, on Dec. 1, agents executed search warrants on two residences occupied by Hernandez. As agents approached Hernandez at one of the residences, Hernandez allegedly retreated inside the house before fleeing through the back door with a duffle bag containing approximately 27 pounds of methamphetamine. In the two residences, agents recovered additional drugs and other items consistent with drug trafficking.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Hernandez faces a minimum of 10 years and up to life in prison.
The FBI Violent Crimes Task Force and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office Community Action Team investigated this case as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (“OCDETF”) program’s Operation Atonement. OCDETF is a nationwide Department of Justice program that combines the resources and unique expertise of federal agencies, along with their local counterparts, in a coordinated effort to disrupt and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Maria Y. Armijo, Randy M. Castellano and Ry Ellison are prosecuting the case.
