An Albuquerque man, Arthur Steven Stewart, has been sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The incident occurred at Adam Food Market in Albuquerque, where Stewart was involved in an altercation on January 24, 2024.
Court documents reveal that officers from the Albuquerque Police Department responded to reports of a man brandishing a handgun during an argument at the market on Central Avenue. Surveillance footage captured much of the incident. During the confrontation, another individual produced a knife. Instead of retreating, Stewart retrieved a small pistol and pointed it at the other person. Officers arrived and apprehended Stewart, recovering a loaded pistol from his pocket.
Stewart was on probation for a previous robbery with a firearm enhancement conviction at the time. He initially claimed he found the gun on the street and intended to return it to its owner.
Upon release from prison, Stewart will be under supervised release for two years.
The sentencing announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman. The case was investigated by the Albuquerque Police Department with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Haynes is prosecuting this case through an agreement with the Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
This agreement allows Assistant District Attorneys to act as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) in screening felony criminal complaints filed in Bernalillo County for federal offenses, prioritizing charges against those who contribute to violence in Albuquerque's metropolitan area. Since 2020, nearly 3,000 cases have been reviewed under this program by the United States Attorney’s Office, resulting in over 300 criminal charges.
Similar agreements exist with other New Mexico judicial entities and there are plans to expand this initiative statewide.