U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Postal Inspection Service Charge Convicted Felon with Illegal Firearms Possession

ALBUQUERQUE – A convicted felon has been charged with unlawful possession of firearms after law enforcement discovered multiple guns during a search warrant execution at his Albuquerque residence.

According to court documents, on March 7, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Albuquerque as part of an ongoing fraud and identity theft investigation. During the operation, one of the residents, Ryan John Leach, 46, attempted to flee by exiting the rear of the house. When law enforcement prevented him from doing so, Leach returned to the residence and allegedly started a fire in his bedroom to burn evidence of his alleged crimes.

After containing the fire, law enforcement discovered suspected methamphetamine, four firearms and ammunition in Leach's bedroom. Leach, who was previously convicted of trafficking a controlled substance, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Leach will remain in custody pending trial, which has not been set. If convicted of the current charges, Leach faces 15 years in prison.

Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin and Glen Henderson, Inspector in Charge of the Phoenix Division of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, made the announcement today.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, and the Albuquerque Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Bell is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.