FARMINGTON — A Farmington man has been charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence after a man was found dead inside a partially collapsed shed on West Animas Street, according to a criminal complaint and arrest affidavit.
Brian Keith Peshlakai, 52, who court records listed as homeless, was charged in San Juan County Magistrate Court in connection with the death of Cecil Jim.
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
According to the arrest affidavit, Farmington police responded at approximately 6:35 a.m. May 11 to 626 W. Animas St. after receiving a report of an unresponsive male inside a shed on the property.
Investigators wrote that officers located a deceased man inside the northernmost of three sheds on the west side of the property. The affidavit states the man had multiple facial lacerations that investigators believed were consistent with blunt force trauma. Court records state investigators initially considered the circumstances suspicious and consistent with a possible homicide based on the visible injuries and scene conditions.
Police later identified the man as Cecil Jim after investigators reportedly found a wallet containing a New Mexico identification card in the decedent’s pocket, according to court records.
The affidavit states investigators executed a search warrant at the property and recovered a Speedway receipt dated May 1, 2026. Detectives later reviewed surveillance footage from the Speedway location and identified a man they alleged was Peshlakai based on booking photographs and police records.
According to the affidavit, officers located Peshlakai near the intersection of Scott Avenue and Broadway Boulevard on May 12 and transported him to the Farmington Police Department’s Detective Division for questioning.
During an interview, investigators alleged Peshlakai stated he was involved in a confrontation with Jim on May 9 at the West Animas Street property. Court records state Peshlakai told detectives Jim punched him in the mouth during the encounter and that he responded by hitting Jim back.
Investigators wrote that Peshlakai allegedly told detectives he restrained Jim on the ground for approximately 20 minutes because he remained angry following the confrontation.
Investigators wrote that Peshlakai demonstrated how he held Jim and later stated he attempted CPR after realizing Jim was no longer breathing.
According to court records, Peshlakai allegedly told detectives he dragged Jim’s body into the collapsed shed and moved Jim’s backpack into another shed on the property.
According to the affidavit, preliminary autopsy findings documented broken ribs, injuries to the throat area and petechiae in the eyes. Investigators wrote the injuries could be consistent with strangulation or suffocation.
CHARGES FILED
- Second-degree murder
- Tampering with evidence
CASE STATUS
Court records indicate prosecutors filed a motion seeking pretrial detention, alleging Peshlakai posed a danger to the community if released pending trial.
Court records indicate prosecutors also referenced a prior battery on a healthcare worker case that was dismissed following a competency determination.
Peshlakai remained in custody at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center as of the filing of the motion. Court records did not indicate whether he had retained legal counsel.
SOURCE
According to a criminal complaint, arrest affidavit and motion for pretrial detention filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.