Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney's Office
District of New Mexico
For Immediate Release
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
John C. Anderson
Contact: Elizabeth M. Martinez
Rio Rancho Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Unlawfully Possessing Firearm and Ammunition
ALBUQUERQUE – Cory G. Bates, 29, of Rio Rancho, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court in Albuquerque, N.M., to 84 months in prison for violating the federal firearms laws by unlawfully possessing a firearm. Bates will be on supervised release for three years after completing his prison sentence.
Bates, whose prior criminal history includes felony convictions for aggravated burglary with a deadly weapon, armed robbery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and cocaine trafficking, was prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets violent, repeat offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target for federal prosecution violent or repeat offenders with the goal of making communities in New Mexico safer places for people to live and work.
Bates was arrested in June 2016, on an indictment charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on Jan. 9, 2016, in Bernalillo County, N.M. According to the indictment, Bates was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of his status as a convicted felon.
On Feb. 5, 2018, Bates pled guilty to the indictment and admitted that on Jan. 9, 2016, he possessed a firearm and ammunition despite his status as a convicted felon.
This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe prosecuted the case.
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