ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Gilbert Michael Coriz, 35, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, appeared in federal court on Jan. 19 for a detention hearing on a charge of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. Coriz will remain in custody pending trial.
Coriz was indicted on Dec. 8, 2021, and arraigned on Jan. 18. According to the indictment and other court records, on Jan. 1, 2021, law enforcement responded to a report of shots fired at a residence on Camino Capitan. After obtaining a search warrant, officers cleared and searched the residence and found Coriz allegedly hiding in a water heater closet in the garage. Officers also found three firearms and various types of ammunition.
Coriz was previously convicted of aggravated battery, felon in possession of a firearm, tampering with evidence, possession of a controlled substance and residential burglary. As a previously convicted felon, Coriz cannot legally possess firearms or ammunition.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Coriz faces up to 10 years in prison.
The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Santa Fe Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Samuel A. Hurtado is prosecuting the case.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
