FBI-LED OPERATION TEMPEST TARGETS 10 HIGH-RISK OFFENDERS IN NORTHERN NEW MEXICO

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — A coordinated law enforcement operation led by the FBI has produced federal charges and guilty pleas involving 10 individuals identified by tribal and local law enforcement partners as among the most dangerous offenders threatening communities in northern New Mexico.

The initiative, known as Operation Tempest, grew out of a September 2025 meeting convened by First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison with federal, tribal, state, and local law enforcement leaders. During that meeting, participating agencies identified cartel-related activity, violent offenders, firearms violations, and drug trafficking as significant public-safety threats across the region.

Those discussions became the foundation for Operation Tempest, which brought agencies together to identify 10 individuals considered priority targets and pursue federal cases where the evidence and applicable law supported prosecution.

The operation reflects a targeted enforcement model rather than a broad arrest sweep. Participating agencies focused investigative resources on a relatively small group of individuals identified as significant threats based on violent crime, narcotics trafficking, firearms offenses, and related criminal activity.

Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Division, said the operation demonstrated what law enforcement agencies can accomplish through coordinated enforcement and indicated that similar efforts will continue in communities across New Mexico.

The 10 individuals targeted in connection with Operation Tempest are at different stages of the federal criminal process. Some have pleaded guilty, while others remain charged by indictment or criminal complaint and have not been convicted of the pending offenses.

Paul H. Alejo is charged by federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, using and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, possessing a firearm in furtherance of that crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that Alejo previously was convicted of attempted aggravated assault upon a peace officer.

Alejo’s current federal charges remain allegations unless and until proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Larry Martinez has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of ammunition.

Martinez previously was convicted of second-degree murder. His sentencing is scheduled for October 20, 2026.

Because Martinez has entered a guilty plea, his federal offense is no longer merely alleged. His final sentence has not yet been imposed.

Jacob Martinez is charged by federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute cocaine base, methamphetamine, and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of those drug-trafficking crimes, and being a prohibited person in possession of firearms and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that Jacob Martinez previously was convicted of attempted trafficking of a controlled substance, two non-residential burglaries, and receiving stolen property.

Those prior convictions are distinct from the pending federal charges, which remain unresolved.

Jerome Naranjo has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Naranjo previously was convicted of robbery, possession of a controlled substance, and escape from a community custody program.

His sentencing is scheduled for November 10, 2026.

Gino Tapia is charged by federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that Tapia previously was convicted of commercial burglary and two separate felon-in-possession offenses.

His current federal case remains pending.

Andrew Madrid is charged by federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that Madrid previously was convicted of possession of a controlled substance, abuse of a child, and aggravated fleeing from a law enforcement officer.

Those prior convictions are distinct from the pending federal charges, which remain unresolved.

Natasha Ninette DeCosta is charged by federal indictment with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that DeCosta previously was convicted of attempted trafficking of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Her federal charges remain pending and have not resulted in a conviction.

Felix Anthony Lewis is charged by federal indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

The indictment alleges that Lewis previously was convicted of trafficking by possession with intent to distribute. The current federal charge remains unresolved.

Michael Mena is charged by criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possessing a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime, possessing the firearm in furtherance of that crime, and possession with intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine.

The complaint alleges that Mena previously was convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance while armed, carrying a firearm in a public space, and felon-in-possession offenses.

A criminal complaint is an accusation and does not constitute a conviction.

Joe Gomez has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Gomez previously was convicted of possession of a controlled substance and commercial burglary.

His sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2026.

Taken together, the cases show that firearms offenses form a major component of Operation Tempest. Several defendants are accused of unlawfully possessing firearms, with their indictments or complaints also alleging prior felony convictions, while others face allegations that firearms were possessed or carried in connection with drug-trafficking crimes.

The drug cases involve methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine base, reflecting the narcotics concerns identified by law enforcement leaders when planning the operation.

The cases reflect the use of federal firearm and drug statutes against individuals identified through the joint investigative effort, including defendants accused of unlawful firearm possession whose charging documents also allege prior felony convictions.

Operation Tempest involves a substantial network of participating agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico, FBI Albuquerque Field Office, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Marshals Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, New Mexico State Police, New Mexico National Guard, Santa Fe Police Department, Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office, Taos County Sheriff’s Office, Española Police Department, Santa Clara Tribal Police Department, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo Police Department, Pueblo of Pojoaque Police Department, Taos Pueblo Department of Public Safety, and Tesuque Pueblo Police Department.

The inclusion of multiple tribal police departments is especially significant because northern New Mexico contains several tribal jurisdictions where effective enforcement can require close coordination between tribal, federal, state, and local authorities.

Jurisdiction in Indian Country can involve different investigative and prosecutorial authorities depending on the offense, location, status of the individuals involved, and applicable federal law. Multi-agency cooperation can therefore be critical when criminal activity crosses jurisdictional boundaries.

The FBI’s Santa Fe Resident Agency, which operates under the Albuquerque Field Office, investigated the cases connected to Operation Tempest.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Mexico is prosecuting the federal cases.

Operation Tempest is described as the first in a planned series of coordinated enforcement efforts across New Mexico, with future operations expected to focus on individuals identified by local and tribal partners as major drivers of violence and criminal activity in their communities.

The model places emphasis on identifying a small number of priority offenders, combining intelligence from multiple agencies, and using available federal charges when those cases can be supported by evidence.

Not all 10 defendants have been convicted of their current federal charges. Larry Martinez, Jerome Naranjo, and Joe Gomez have entered guilty pleas, while the remaining named defendants with pending indictments or complaints are presumed innocent of those pending charges unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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