U.S. Attorney and FBI Charge Rio Rancho Woman with Federal Firearms Offenses

ALBUQUERQUE - A Rio Rancho woman was charged by criminal complaint for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition while using controlled substances.

Courtney Leigh Sparks, 39, appeared before a federal judge on July 23, 2024, and will be placed on conditions of release in the third-party custody of a halfway house pending trial, which has not been scheduled.

According to court documents, on March 15, 2024, the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) arrested Sparks after she collided into an Albuquerque Fire and Rescue fire truck. Sparks appeared intoxicated and was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol. APD searched her vehicle and located the following:

• A loaded Colt .38 caliber special revolver in the cup holder of the center console
• Three open bottles of alcohol
• A narcotics pipe on Sparks' person

Then, on May 22, 2024, the Rio Rancho Police Department's (RRPD) Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) informed the FBI about recent interactions with Sparks. These interactions concerned Sparks' desire to create a "Molotov cocktail," her possession of weapons, ongoing drug use, and intent to harm others with explosives.

On May 14, 2024, the RRPD CIT received information that Sparks was attempting to collect gunpower from fireworks to build a bomb. RRPD and the Federal Bureau of Investigation developed information that Sparks was a long-time user of controlled substances to include methamphetamine and fentanyl, including ongoing use at the time of her March arrest.

On May 27, 2024, Sparks was arrested in Rio Arriba County for driving while intoxicated. New Mexico State Police (NMSP) were on patrol when they were flagged down by a citizen who reported a possible intoxicated driver. NMSP observed the vehicle driving below the speed limit and crossed marked road lines. NMSP arrested Sparks for driving while intoxicated. During a subsequent search of her vehicle, officers located:

• One box of .38 special ammunition
• One box of 12-gauge shotgun shells
• Two hatchets
• One throwing knife
• One machete
• Three pocketknives
• Two glass pipes
• Various items related to marijuana use

If convicted of the current charges, Sparks faces up to 15 years in prison for each offense.

U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Albuquerque, Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gardner is prosecuting this case as part of an agreement with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office.

Through the agreement, Assistant District Attorneys are designated Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) in the United States Attorney's Office. The SAUSA from the First Judicial District Attorney's Office screens felony criminal complaints filed in Santa Fe, Rio Arriba, and Los Alamos Counties for federal criminal offenses, prioritizing federal charges against those who drive violence in the Santa Fe area.

The United States Attorney's Office has similar agreements with the New Mexico Department of Justice and the Second Judicial District Attorney's Office and plans to expand the program throughout the state.

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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