FBI arrests him in Gallup
Carlton Craig Sandoval, 38, of Window Rock, Ariz., has been charged federally with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The FBI arrested Sandoval in Gallup March 16.
Sandoval is accused of having a firearm in a vehicle in Navajo, N.M., on Jan. 1.
Special Agent Jonathan Labuhn explained in the complaint filed on Feb. 20 that Sandoval is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition based on a 2015 charge for possession of drug paraphernalia in Maricopa County, Ariz. and a 2010 charge of aggravated driving or actual physical control while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs, also in Maricopa County.
He was also sentenced to three years probation in 2006 for endangerment in Maricopa County Superior Court.
When law enforcement approached him on Jan. 1, an alcoholic beverage container and a brown long rifle with a scope swerve on the front passenger seat of the red Dodge car he was in. He was asked to exit and refused.
A backpack was located on the back seat on the driver side of the vehicle. A search was conducted. The following ammunition was seized from the back pack: (1) .223 caliber round with a brass casing, (7) .223 caliber rounds with steel casings, (4) .40 caliber rounds, (l) .223 caliber steel casing and (1) 12 gauge shotgun shell.
Labuhn concluded that there was probable cause to believe that the rifle was transported in interstate commerce in order to be present in the state of New Mexico.
Sandoval had an initial appearance via teleconference in U.S. District Court in Albuquerque March 18, with a preliminary/detention hearing set for March 20.
The Navajo Police Department Window Rock District assisted with the investigation.
The public is reminded all defendants are considered innocent unless convicted in a court of law.
