Five men from Albuquerque have admitted guilt to federal charges involving firearms and drug trafficking. The case centers on the illegal sale of machine gun conversion devices, also known as "Glock switches," and cocaine.
Court documents state that between February and July 2024, Micah Maestas, 20; Dominic Ramirez, 22; Daniel Garcia, 19; Oscar Ruiz Salmeron, 20; and his brother Jesus Ruiz Salmeron, 20, sold firearms modified with these conversion devices along with controlled substances. Undercover law enforcement officers purchased both the altered weapons and drugs during several transactions.
Authorities connected the firearms sold by the group to multiple shootings in Albuquerque using ballistics evidence. Video footage captured Jesus Ruiz Salmeron firing a fully automatic weapon near Albuquerque High School.
Maestas pleaded guilty to distributing cocaine, using firearms in drug trafficking crimes, trafficking firearms, dealing firearms without a license, and possession and transfer of a machinegun. Ramirez and Garcia admitted to dealing firearms without a license, distribution of cocaine, and using a firearm in relation to drug trafficking. Oscar Ruiz Salmeron pleaded guilty to trafficking firearms while Jesus Ruiz Salmeron admitted possession of a machine gun.
The plea agreements specify that Maestas, Ramirez, and Garcia each face mandatory minimum sentences of five years up to twenty years in prison. Oscar Ruiz Salmeron and Jesus Ruiz Salmeron could receive up to ten years imprisonment. Maestas is scheduled for sentencing on November 6, 2025; dates for the other defendants are pending.
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison stated: "The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque Police Department." Shawn Stallo serves as Special Agent in Charge at ATF. Assistant United States Attorney Jack E. Burkhead is prosecuting the matter.
This announcement was made public on November 13 following the conclusion of the federal government shutdown.
