Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBUQUERQUE – A federal grand jury has indicted an Española man on multiple counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances following an incident at the Sandia Resort and Casino in Bernalillo County.
According to court documents, on September 16, 2024, Pueblo of Sandia Police responded to a 911 hang-up call from a hotel room at the Sandia Resort and Casino. Upon arrival, officers made contact with Zacary Cipriano Lucero, 63, and two women in the hotel room. At that time, Lucero claimed the women had stolen money from him.
During the investigation, one of the women suggested searching Lucero‘s bags, alleging he was trading fentanyl for sex. Lucero denied consent to search his bags and stated he wanted to drop the charges against the women.
After being read his Miranda rights, Lucero told officers he had invited the women to his room around 4 a.m. after meeting them in the casino. He claimed he discovered his cell phone and money were missing after dozing off.
Officers sealed the room and obtained a search warrant. On September 17, 2024, during the execution of the warrant, police discovered:
- Approximately 238 grams of suspected fentanyl
- 16 grams of suspected cocaine
- 50 grams of suspected methamphetamine
- Approximately $3,190 in cash
These items were found in bags that Lucero had previously claimed ownership of.
Lucero will remain on conditions of release pending trial, which has not been scheduled. If convicted, Lucero faces up to 40 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with the assistance of the Pueblo of Sandia Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert James Booth II is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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