Farmington Man Charged in Federal Firearms Case Following Undercover Operation

ALBUQUERQUE - A Farmington man has been charged in federal court after allegedly selling multiple firearms and ammunition to an undercover law enforcement officer.

According to court documents, on September 14, 2025, Pete Kimbell, 41, allegedly spoke to an undercover officer with the New Mexico Region II Narcotics Task Force using coded language and stated that he had multiple firearms for sale. The undercover officer arranged to meet Kimbell the following day to view and purchase the firearms.

On September 15, 2025, the undercover officer met Kimbell at a residence in Kirtland while surveillance units monitored the location and the officer wore a covert recording device. During the meeting, the officer observed and purchased several firearms and multiple boxes of ammunition from Kimbell for approximately $2,100.

As a previously convicted felon, Kimbell is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Kimbell is charged with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has been scheduled for April 29, 2026. If convicted of the current charge, hefaces up to 15 years in prison.

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

The FBI's Violent Gang Task Force investigated this case with assistance from the Farmington Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, San Juan County Sheriff's Office, Rio Rancho Police Department and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Elena Stiteler is prosecuting the case.

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