03-06-2025
Española man in possession of dynamite, firearms is sentenced to federal prison
ESPAÑOLA, N.M. (KRQE) – An Española man was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for drugs, explosives and firearms charges. Mario James Valdez, 35, pleaded guilty to possession to intent to distribute cocaine base, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and being a felon in possession of explosive material.
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According to court records, on August 1, 2023, Valdez was pulled over by the Pojoaque Police Department for driving with an expired registration. Officers located two ghost guns, ammunition, fentanyl, 377 blue pills marked M30 and 42 grams of crack cocaine. On September 15, 2023, Valdez was arrested again for shoplifting, and for an outstanding warrant. During this arrest, Valdez was found with fentanyl, Xanax, crack cocaine and ammunition on his person.
While in jail on recorded calls, Valdez discussed having other firearms and sticks of dynamite stored at a house in Española, according to court documents. On October 20, 2023, a search warrant was executed at the residence and officers discovered multiple firearms and six sticks of deteriorating dynamite. Law enforcement destroyed the dynamite due to its hazardous condition. As a previously convicted felon, Valdez was prohibited from possessing firearms, ammunition and explosives.
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