SANTA FE, New Mexico — State Senator Crystal Diamond Brantley is calling for stronger oversight of New Mexico’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) after a recent KRQE News 13 investigation revealed that SNAP EBT benefits were exchanged for fentanyl in Sierra County, her home district.

According to the investigation, deputies uncovered text messages in which a local man offered $500–$700 in SNAP benefits in exchange for fentanyl pills. Sierra County Sheriff Josh Baker, who represents the same communities Brantley does, led the case that ultimately tied the illicit exchange to the overdose death of a 26-year-old father. Investigators confirmed the fraudulent SNAP transactions through store surveillance footage, resulting in multiple charges.

Brantley said the report was alarming because of how close it hit to home.

“This happened in Sierra County—my home, where my husband and I are raising our kids, and where Sheriff Josh Baker works every day to protect our community,” she said in a statement. “Reading that SNAP benefits were being traded for fentanyl right here, in our own backyard, was absolutely shocking. My first priority is feeding hungry New Mexicans—not fueling addiction.”

During last week’s special session, lawmakers passed House Bill 1, which included a directive for the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) to evaluate the state’s administration of SNAP following delays in federal funding. Brantley, who voted for HB 1 but argued it lacked sufficient guardrails, sent a formal letter Thursday asking the LFC to expand the scope of its mandated program evaluation in response to the Sierra County case.

In the letter, Brantley urged the LFC to solicit information from state and local law-enforcement agencies—including Sierra County—on any open or recently adjudicated investigations involving SNAP misuse or trafficking. She also asked evaluators to coordinate with the Department of Public Safety, document any findings of fraud or criminal conduct, and recommend statutory changes if prosecutors need additional authority to use audit records in criminal cases.

Brantley further requested that the final audit be transmitted to Brooke L. Rollins, the 33rd United States Secretary of Agriculture, who recently asked states to strengthen SNAP transparency and reporting to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“Secretary Rollins has made the need for accountability very clear,” Brantley said. “New Mexico should step forward with transparency. The families in my district—and across our entire state—deserve to know that every SNAP dollar is going where it’s intended: to feed people in need, not to fuel the fentanyl crisis.”

Under HB 1, the LFC must submit preliminary findings by January 20, 2026, and a final report by July 1, 2026.