Department of Justice

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and James VanVliet, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced today that Edward Lee Walters was charged with possession of firearms by a person subject to a court order. Walters, 54, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, appeared in federal court today for a detention hearing and will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to a criminal complaint, on June 15, a stipulated order of protection was filed restraining Walters from committing acts of abuse or threats of abuse and from having any contact with his former intimate partner, identified as V1, with whom he shares a child. That order is in effect until June 15, 2024. On July 21, an order of protection restraining Walters was issued and is effective until July 21, 2036.

On Sept. 14, Doña Ana Sheriff Deputies responded to a 911 call reporting that Walters was in V1’s residence in Las Cruces. As alleged in the complaint, deputies found Walters with V1 in the garage. Deputies escorted V1 and her child out of the residence.

Walters then allegedly barricaded himself inside the residence, but later surrendered. Deputies executed a search warrant on the residence and located a handgun, a rifle, two pipe bombs and a lighter. Walters was placed under arrest.

Under federal law, as a person subject to a protective order, Walters cannot possess firearms or ammunition.

A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Walters faces up to 10 years in prison.

The Las Cruces Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Y. Armijo is prosecuting the case.