A Farmington man was arrested early January 6, 2026, after police allege he violently assaulted a household member during a prolonged domestic dispute and later hid from officers inside a bedroom closet, according to sworn police affidavits.
The arrest followed a Farmington Police Department response to a reported domestic violence incident at a residence on Egret Street shortly after midnight.
All allegations described below are drawn directly from law enforcement affidavits filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Allegations From the January 6, 2026 Incident
According to a statement of probable cause filed by a Farmington police officer, dispatch advised officers that the reporting party had been struck in the face by her boyfriend and had fled the residence, waiting at a nearby home for police to arrive.
When officers made contact with the woman, they reported she was visibly distraught and observed a lump on her forehead approximately one inch in diameter, along with what appeared to be blood on the front of her clothing.
The woman told officers the argument began earlier in the day while the couple was driving back to Farmington from Huerfano. She said the disagreement continued throughout the evening and escalated inside their bedroom around 11 p.m.
According to the affidavit, the woman alleged the man became physically violent, grabbed her around the neck with both hands, threw her onto the bed, and repeatedly punched her in the face and head with closed fists.
She told police that during part of the assault, she was holding her four-month-old child and placed the infant on the bed in order to defend herself. She said she did not know how many times she was struck because the incident happened quickly.
The woman also told officers the man took her house key during the argument, preventing her from re-entering the home after she fled. She said she cleaned blood from her nose in the bathroom before leaving the residence to seek help.
Police Attempt to Contact Suspect at the Residence
Officers transported the woman and her child back to the Egret Street residence to conduct a civil standby so she could retrieve baby supplies and clothing.
Police reported all lights inside the house were off and that repeated knocks and announcements at both the front and back doors went unanswered for approximately 15 minutes.
Because the woman reported her key had been taken, officers allowed her to climb through a bedroom window to enter the home, after which she unlocked the front door for officers.
Suspect Found Hiding in Bedroom Closet
While officers were inside the residence, another occupant told police the suspect was not present. However, officers reported hearing rustling and banging noises coming from a bedroom.
With consent to search, officers located the man hiding in the back of a bedroom closet. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Police advised him of his Miranda rights before conducting an interview.
Defendant’s Statements to Police
According to the affidavit, the man denied physically assaulting the woman. He told officers the argument was verbal and claimed he was trying to prevent her from leaving with the child but did not restrain or strike her.
He alleged the woman had been consuming alcohol and claimed she struck him with open hands, pulled on his shirt, and scratched his chest during the argument. He also claimed another household member witnessed the incident.
Officers noted the defendant’s statements conflicted with the reporting party’s account and with injuries observed at the scene.
Child Welfare Concerns Documented
Before leaving the scene, officers documented bruising on the child’s left arm. The woman told police she did not know how the bruising occurred.
The man told officers he had noticed the bruising two days earlier and believed it may have occurred while bathing the child.
Police reported the concern to child welfare authorities, and a referral was made.
Arrest and Booking
After completing interviews and confirming the man had three active magistrate court arrest warrants, officers placed him under arrest.
He was transported to the San Juan County Adult Detention Center and booked on charges related to battery against a household member, along with the outstanding warrants.
October 2025 State Police Case: Alleged Strangulation
Court records show the January 2026 arrest follows a separate New Mexico State Police investigation from October 23, 2025.
In that case, police responded to a gas station along U.S. Highway 550 near Nageezi after receiving reports that a man had been assaulting a woman.
According to the affidavit, the woman alleged she was struck multiple times while inside a vehicle and again in the gas station parking lot. Police documented red marks on her neck consistent with grabbing or strangulation, scratches to her face and arms, bruising, and a complaint of hearing loss.
She was transported by ambulance to San Juan Regional Medical Center. That case resulted in felony aggravated battery allegations filed under a separate docket.
June 2025 Farmington Case at Westland Park
Court filings also show a June 2025 Farmington Police Department case involving a reported domestic disturbance at Westland Park.
According to that affidavit, officers responded after the woman reported being shoved and having keys thrown at her. Initial witness statements described the encounter as verbal, while later statements alleged physical contact, including being pushed in the chest.
Officers reported no visible injuries at the time. That incident resulted in misdemeanor battery charges and later warrant activity related to failure to comply.
Multiple Cases, Separate Incidents
Court records reviewed by San Juan Pulse show the June 2025, October 2025, and January 2026 incidents were filed as separate cases, each involving different alleged conduct, locations, and levels of injury.
The January 6, 2026 arrest represents the most recent and most serious set of allegations currently pending.
Public Records Notice
This report is based exclusively on sworn law enforcement affidavits, jail records, and court filings. It does not represent a finding of guilt.
All individuals named are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
For more San Juan County court coverage, see our previous report on the Cameron Lewis shooting case filed in Farmington.
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