Former Police Chief Changes Plea In Gun Smuggling Case

Former Columbus (N.M.) Police Chief Angelo Vega pleaded guilty to a felony charge during a change of plea hearing Thursday in U.S. Federal Court in Las Cruces.

Vega could be sentenced to up to 35 years in federal prison.

Vega was among a group of border town officials accused of helping to smuggle hundreds of guns into Mexico.

Former Columbus Mayor Eddie Espinoza was the first to change his plea to guilty last month. His attorney says the plea agreements are all sealed so it’s unclear who might have made deals for leniency.

Espinoza, a former town trustee and nearly a dozen other people have already have already pleaded guilty in the case. There are two defendants left to resolve their cases.

During the hearing, Vega could be seen smiling and he seemed relaxed.

Defense attorney Jess Lilley said that Vega is not a bad person and that he just made bad choices.

A sentencing date was not announced.