Portales man pleads to drug, firearm charges

Staff report

Justin Shipley of Portales pleaded guilty to drug trafficking and firearms charges in Las Cruces federal court Friday, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney.

Shipley, 30, and co-defendant Brandon Wood, 35, also of Portales, were arrested April 24 in Otero County on a criminal complaint that charged them with methamphetamine trafficking, according to the release.

Shipley pleaded guilty to three felony counts including, trafficking conspiracy, distribution of methamphetamine, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime.

The release said as part of his plea, Shipley admitted to conspiring with Wood beginning on April 18 to sell 80 graams of methamphetamine in Portales. He admitted they had acquired the methamphetamine in Arizona on April 22, according to the release.

Shipley and Wood were arrested near Alamogordo by Border Patrol agents during a routine vehicle inspection.

Shipley has been in federal custody since April 24 and will remain detained until his sentencing hearing, which has not yet been scheduled.

Wood’s trial is set for Jan. 19.