A Las Cruces man pleaded guilty to federal fentanyl trafficking and firearms charges after officers found fentanyl and a loaded gun in his vehicle.

Kenneth Manuel Aguirre, 44, entered the plea on charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, three counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and using and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Mexico. The office announced the plea on Thursday, Nov. 5.

Aguirre faces a minimum of five years and up to life in federal prison.

No sentencing date has been provided at the time of this publication.

Two incidents in summer 2025

The case stems from two separate incidents weeks apart.

On July 5, 2025, Aguirre allegedly pointed a handgun at three people outside his Las Cruces residence, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office charging announcement from March 23, 2026. Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office deputies took Aguirre into custody and recovered a handgun and suspected fentanyl pills from his vehicle. Deputies also recovered a rifle, ammunition and other firearm accessories from his residence.

According to court documents cited by prosecutors, Aguirre knowingly possessed two firearms and ammunition on that date despite a prior felony conviction that barred him from having them.

Then on Aug. 13, 2025, law enforcement officers stopped Aguirre in Doña Ana County on an active arrest warrant. During a search of his vehicle, agents recovered approximately 57.4 grams of fentanyl from the center console and a loaded firearm.

Federal charges filed in March 2026

Aguirre was charged federally in March 2026. At that stage, prosecutors said he faced a minimum of 10 years and up to 40 years in prison if convicted. The guilty plea carries a different sentencing range: not less than five years and up to life.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and FBI Albuquerque Field Office Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris announced the plea. The FBI's Las Cruces Resident Agency investigated the case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff's Office, Las Cruces/Doña Ana Metro Narcotics and the Las Cruces Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Devon Aragon Martinez is prosecuting the case.