Date: 02-11-2025

Case Style: United States of America v. Eloy Romero

Case Number: 21-CR-559

Judge: JCH

Court: United States District Court for the District of New Mexico (Bernalillo County)

Plaintiff's Attorney: United States District Attorney's Office in Albuquerque

Defendant's Attorney:

Description: Albuquerque, New Mexico criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with possessing methamphetamine and
fentanyl with an intent to distribute under 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A) and (B), and with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime under 18 U.S.C. § 924(c).

During a traffic stop, police learned that Eloy Romero had a suspended driver’s license and that the car he was driving was uninsured. Because Mr. Romero could not legally drive the car away from the stop, police made the decision to impound the car and began performing an inventory search. During that search, officers looked inside a backpack, finding a safe, and looked inside the safe, finding a gun and a large quantity of drugs. After an unsuccessful motion to suppress the evidence found in the backpack, Mr.Romero was convicted at trial of federal gun and drug charges. This appeal seeks to
reverse the district court’s decision to deny Mr. Romero’s motion to suppress.

Outcome: Affirmed

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: