A second-degree felony charge of embezzlement over $20,000 has been filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court, according to an affidavit for arrest warrant filed Feb. 26, 2026.
The charge stems from a reported $49,000 transfer from a Fruitland business account into a personal account, according to court records.
Report to Law Enforcement
According to the affidavit, on Feb. 25 at approximately 12:18 p.m., the manager of Zia Liquors in the 3900 block of U.S. 64 in Fruitland contacted dispatch to report the business was the victim of fraud.
The affiant wrote that he spoke by phone with the manager and the business owner regarding the account activity.
Account Signatory Status and Reported Transfer
According to the affidavit, the defendant previously worked for the business and had managed the business bank account as a signatory. The document states the defendant had been fired more than two years earlier but remained listed as an account signer.
The affidavit states that on Feb. 24, the business owner discovered $49,000 had been taken from the business account and deposited into the defendant’s personal account. The document states the owner did not give permission for the transfer.
Email Response Referenced in Affidavit
The affiant wrote that a bank statement showed an advice of charge signed Feb. 24 bearing the defendant’s name and requesting a transfer of $49,000 from the business account to a personal account. The statement also reflected a withdrawal of $49,000, according to the affidavit.
The affidavit states the affiant later spoke with the defendant by phone and received an email from an address identified as belonging to the defendant. In the email, the defendant wrote that he was a member and authorized signer of “Zilla Liquors LLC” and described the $49,000 transfer as a member advance and loan.
According to the affidavit, the email referenced New Mexico statutes and stated the advance reimbursed documented business expenses exceeding $49,000 that had been paid from personal funds. The affiant wrote that no attached notarized member advance agreement was included with the email.
The affidavit states the defendant requested that further inquiries be directed to his attorney and indicated he would not discuss details without counsel present.
Charges Filed
- Embezzlement (Over $20,000), second-degree felony
Case Status
The charge was filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court. No additional proceedings were listed in the affidavit.
Source: Affidavit for Arrest Warrant filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.
The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations. No determination of guilt has been made.