Las Cruces Man Sentenced for Possessing Stolen Handgun While Under Felony Indictment (DOJ)

ALBUQUERQUE - A Las Cruces man pleaded guilty after being caught carrying a loaded, stolen handgun outside a Las Cruces gas station while under indictment and on community supervision for a felony robbery in Texas.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records, on January 14, 2025, Stephen Gregory Smith, 24, was found in possession of a loaded handgun and ammunition outside a gas station in Las Cruces, New Mexico after officers responded to reports that he was harassing customers. During the encounter, Smith admitted he had the concealed firearm in his pocket. Investigators later determined the firearm had been reported stolen earlier that day from a nearby residence. At the time, Smith was under indictment and on community supervision in Texas for a felony robbery charge, which prohibited him from possessing firearms.

Smith pleaded guilty to illegal receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment. Upon his release from prison, Smith will be subject to two years of supervised release.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Taekuk Cho of Homeland Security Investigations El Paso made the announcement today.

Homeland Security Investigations El Paso investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office, the Dona Ana County Sheriff's Office and New Mexico State University Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Maria Armijo is prosecuting the case.