Courtney Leigh Sparks, 39, from Rio Rancho, faces charges for illegal firearm and ammunition possession while using controlled substances. She appeared before a federal judge on July 23, 2024, and will be held in third-party custody at a halfway house until her trial, which has not yet been scheduled.
Sparks was arrested for driving under the influence by Albuquerque Police on March 15, 2024, after she collided with an Albuquerque Fire and Rescue truck. According to court documents, she appeared intoxicated at the time. A search of her vehicle revealed a loaded Colt .38 caliber revolver in the center console, three open bottles of alcohol, and a narcotics pipe.
On May 22, 2024, the Rio Rancho Police Department’s Crisis Intervention Team alerted the FBI about Sparks’ concerning behavior, including her desire to create a “Molotov cocktail,” possession of weapons, ongoing drug use, and intent to harm others. Additionally, on May 14, 2024, reports indicated that Sparks was collecting gunpowder from fireworks to build a bomb. The investigation revealed her long-term use of methamphetamine and fentanyl, including during her March arrest.
Authorities arrested Sparks again on May 27, 2024, in Rio Arriba County for driving while intoxicated. New Mexico State Police detained her after a citizen reported a possibly intoxicated driver. During a subsequent search of her vehicle, officers found:
- 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, Sparks faces up to 15 years in prison for each offense.
Federal, State Law Enforcement Have Partnership to Combat and Prosecute Crimes
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez and FBI Special Agent Raul Bujanda announced the charges. The FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office, along with the Albuquerque Police Department, Rio Rancho Police Department, and New Mexico State Police, investigated the case. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gardner is prosecuting it under an agreement with the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
This agreement designates Assistant District Attorneys as Special Assistant United States Attorneys (SAUSAs) to screen felony criminal complaints for federal offenses, prioritizing charges against individuals driving violence in the Santa Fe area. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has similar agreements with other state agencies and plans to expand the program statewide.
**A criminal complaint merely alleges wrongdoing, and courts presume all defendants innocent until proven guilty.**
You can read the criminal complaint here.