A San Juan County investigation has led to multiple felony charges against a Bloomfield man after authorities allege he engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with a 13-year-old girl over a series of encounters in October 2025.

Court records filed in Aztec Magistrate Court indicate the case emerged after family members became concerned about ongoing contact between the juvenile and an adult male, prompting law enforcement intervention.

The defendant has not been convicted. All allegations remain unproven unless established in court.

How the case came to the attention of authorities

According to a sworn statement of probable cause, deputies were dispatched after a report that a juvenile had been spending time with an adult male without parental knowledge or supervision.

Investigators allege the defendant maintained ongoing communication with the minor through social media and messaging platforms. Court documents state that officers later confirmed the juvenile’s age and began coordinating interviews across multiple jurisdictions.

The affidavit notes that law enforcement became involved after a family member reported that the juvenile had left home and later returned, raising concerns about her safety and possible exploitation.

Defendant identified in court records

Court filings identify the defendant as Shane Slaugh, 21, of Bloomfield, New Mexico.

Prosecutors allege Slaugh continued contact with the juvenile even after being informed she was under the age of 16.

According to investigators, Slaugh initially denied knowledge of the girl’s age but later acknowledged learning she was 13, the affidavit states.

Allegations outlined in the probable cause statement

The probable cause statement describes multiple alleged encounters occurring between October 1 and October 18, 2025, including incidents that allegedly took place inside residences while no adults were present.

Investigators wrote that the juvenile reported being alone with the defendant on more than one occasion. The affidavit states that the juvenile described behavior that, if proven, would constitute felony-level sexual offenses under New Mexico law.

Court documents further allege that the defendant provided the juvenile with a THC vape pen, an act investigators say contributed to impaired judgment and vulnerability.

One section of the affidavit states that deputies found the juvenile appeared “visibly nervous and apprehensive” during a forensic interview and that her statements were later corroborated by additional evidence.

Digital evidence and corroboration

According to court records, investigators obtained search warrants for electronic devices and reviewed message exchanges between the defendant and the juvenile.

The affidavit states that messages reviewed by law enforcement included sexually suggestive communications and references to meeting in person.

A detective wrote that the content of the messages, combined with witness statements and interviews, supported the decision to seek an arrest warrant.

Charges filed

Prosecutors filed the following charges:

• Criminal Sexual Penetration (Second Degree) – felony
• Criminal Sexual Penetration (Fourth Degree) – felony
• Enticement of a Child – misdemeanor

A judge reviewed the evidence and formally found probable cause, allowing the case to proceed.

Court status and next steps

The criminal complaint was filed in Aztec Magistrate Court on November 4, 2025. The defendant was later taken into custody pursuant to an arrest warrant.

The case may proceed through preliminary hearings, plea negotiations, or trial depending on future court rulings. No trial date has been announced.

Disclaimer

All individuals are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. This report is based on publicly available court documents and law enforcement affidavits.

For more San Juan County court coverage, see our previous report on the Cameron Lewis shooting case filed in Farmington.

Cameron Lewis Charged in Jessie Hensley Shooting | Farmington