Las Cruces Felon Charged Federally with Fentanyl Trafficking and Firearm Offenses

According to court records, on July 5, 2025, Kenneth Manuel Aguirre, 43, allegedly pointed a handgun at three victims during an incident outside his residence in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Source: Department of Justice

ALBUQUERQUE – A Las Cruces man with prior felony convictions has been charged in federal court with fentanyl trafficking and multiple firearm offenses after allegedly threatening victims with a handgun and later possessing more than 40 grams of fentanyl while armed.

According to court records, on July 5, 2025, Kenneth Manuel Aguirre, 43, allegedly pointed a handgun at three victims during an incident outside his residence in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office deputies took Aguirre into custody and recovered a handgun and suspected fentanyl pills from his vehicle, as well as a rifle, ammunition, and other firearm accessories from his residence.

Subscribe to the Daily Las Cruces Digest

* indicates required

Email Address *

First Name *How would you like to be addressed in personalized emails?

/* real people should not fill this in and expect good things – do not remove this or risk form bot signups */

Subsequently, on August 13, Aguirre allegedly possessed with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl and carried a firearm in furtherance of that drug trafficking crime.

Aguirre is a previously convicted felon and is prohibited from possessing firearms.

Aguirre is charged federally with three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and one count each of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug trafficking crime. He will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Aguirre faces a minimum of 10 years and up to 40 years in prison.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office, the Las Cruces/Dona Ana Metro Narcotics and the Las Cruces Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez is prosecuting the case.

View the Criminal Complaint (Aguirre).pdf

View the Indictment (Aguirre).pdf

An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.