U.S. Attorney's Office and ATF Charge Convicted Felon for Illegal Firearms and Explosives Possession

ALBUQUERQUE – A Chaparral man was charged by criminal complaint for illegally stockpiling firearms and explosives in Las Cruces, New Mexico.

Frederick Urban, 76, appeared before a federal judge on August 12, 2024, and will remain in custody pending a detention hearing, which has not been scheduled.

According to the criminal complaint, on August 8, 2024, the ATF received a tip from a concerned citizen who provided evidence indicating that Urban, a previously convicted felon, was in possession of firearms. Following an investigation, which included reviewing photographs and videos provided by the concerned citizen, ATF agents confirmed the presence of numerous firearms at Urban's residence.

On August 10, 2024, ATF agents, supported by the New Mexico State Police and El Paso Police Department, executed a federal search warrant at Urban's residence. The search resulted in the recovery of numerous firearms, approximately 100,000 rounds of ammunition, large capacity magazines, and gunpowder. Additionally, triacetone triperoxide, an extremely volatile explosive, homemade detonators, blasting caps and gun powder, and other components of homemade bombs were found.

If convicted of the current charges, Urban faces 15 years in prison.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Brendan Iber, Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the announcement today.

The Las Cruces Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated this case with assistance from the New Mexico State Police, El Paso Police Department and FBI’s El Paso Field Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Ry Ellison and Mark Saltman are prosecuting the case.

Anyone with information regarding illegal firearms or explosives can submit an anonymous tip to the ATF by texting the code ATFPHO to 63975 and then following the link to create a report or by calling (602) 776-5400.

A criminal complaint 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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