Las Cruces man sentenced to 10 years for meth trafficking

Las Cruces resident Eric G. Acosta was sentenced Tuesday in federal court to ten years in prison with five years of mandatory parole.

On May 14, 2015, Acosta pleaded guilty to methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges.

During a traffic stop on June 23, 2014, Las Cruces Police officers discovered 889.2 grams of methamphetamine, a firearm and drug paraphernalia inside a vehicle driven by Acosta and co-defendant Christopher J. Cleveland.

The complaint stated the two intended to distribute the drugs.

On Oct. 16, 2014, both men were charged with participation in a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute. They were also charged with firearms possession.

On June 9, 2015, Cleveland pled guilty to the two-methamphetamine trafficking charges. He faces a minimum of two years and a maximum of life in federal prison followed by no less than five years of supervised release.

Cleveland’s sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for June 2016.