Man from Albuquerque pleads guilty to federal firearm charge

              ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Edward Romero, 31, of Albuquerque pleaded guilty in federal court on Dec. 9 to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

              According to his plea agreement, Romero arrived at the U Pull and Pay, a self-serve used auto parts business in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, on March 9. Romero and a companion engaged in an argument with the victim in the parking lot and followed the victim into the store. When Romero’s companion and the victim began to fight, Romero pulled out his firearm and fired at the victim. Romero and his companion then fled in Romero’s vehicle, and Romero was arrested soon afterward by law enforcement.

              As a convicted felon, Romero cannot legally possess a firearm or ammunition. By the terms of the plea agreement, Romero faces up to 10 years in prison and will remain in custody pending sentencing.

              The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case this case as part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Legend, a coordinated federal and local law enforcement initiative to fight gun and dangerous crime. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Mote is prosecuting the case.