The U.S. attorney for Western Texas has taken over the firearms trafficking case against officials from the Town of Columbus and others.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Mexico, which brought the indictments against then-Mayor Eddie Espinosa, then-Police Chief Angelo Vega, City Trustee Blas Gutierrez and nine others, referred all questions to the Texas office.
Daryl Fields, public affairs officer for the West Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office, told NMPolitics.net the case was transferred but wouldn’t say why.
“I can confirm to you that the case you are inquiring about will now be supervised by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas,” he said. “No further comment will be made at this time.”
Did the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico have a conflict that hampered its prosecution of the case? Or is there another reason for the transfer? C.J. McElhinney, attorney for Blas Gutierrez, called the transfer “highly unusual” but said prosecutors in New Mexico and Texas wouldn’t explain the reason to him.
Espinosa and Vega have resigned since being indicted in March. Gutierrez has refused to resign, saying he’s innocent until proven guilty. McElhinney has said the charges against Gutierrez are “politically motivated.”
The defendants have pleaded not guilty. The case is pending.
Gutierrez is charged with 37 counts including one count of conspiracy, 17 counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, and 19 counts of firearms smuggling. Espinoza is charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of firearms smuggling, and three counts of making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms. Vega is charged with one count of conspiracy.
Read the full indictment here.