What began as a routine traffic stop in Farmington has now turned into a criminal case involving alleged drug possession and an aggravated driving while intoxicated charge.

Court records show charges were formally filed January 16, 2026, in Farmington Magistrate Court, following an arrest earlier that same day in San Juan County.

Charges filed after refusal to test

According to the criminal complaint, Sheldon Clayton Hobson, 48, was arrested after Farmington police initiated a traffic stop that later escalated into a drug and DWI investigation.

Prosecutors allege Hobson refused to submit to chemical testing during the encounter. Under New Mexico law, refusing testing automatically elevates a DWI charge to aggravated status.

Police later filed two charges:

• Possession of a controlled substance (fourth-degree felony)
• Aggravated driving while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or drugs (refused testing)

Alleged drug possession

Court records allege Hobson knowingly possessed methamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance under New Mexico law.

The complaint states the substance was not lawfully prescribed and was discovered during the course of the investigation. Prosecutors allege the possession violated the New Mexico Controlled Substances Act.

No details about the quantity of the substance were included in the initial filing.

Case filed in Farmington Magistrate Court

The case was filed in Farmington Magistrate Court, with the Farmington Police Department listed as the arresting agency.

Presumption of innocence

All charges outlined in the criminal complaint are allegations.

The defendant is 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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