A San Juan County inmate has been charged with battery upon a peace officer after a reported altercation with detention officers at the county detention center in Farmington, according to a court affidavit.

The incident occurred March 3, 2026, and an affidavit for arrest warrant was filed March 6 in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Detention Center Response

According to the affidavit, an officer was dispatched at approximately 5:49 p.m. March 3 to the San Juan County Adult Detention Center in reference to a detention officer being battered.

The officer wrote that upon arrival he spoke with Sgt. Cruz, who reported that inmate Stevenson Benally had battered Detention Officer Foster. The sergeant advised that the defendant had been covering the lighting in his cell with paper and toothpaste, which reduced visibility and created a safety concern.

Sgt. Cruz told the responding officer that Detention Officer Foster and Officer Medina were tasked with removing the defendant from the cell. After being removed, the defendant resisted both officers, and Sgt. Cruz reported that during the incident the defendant battered Officer Foster. The sergeant stated the defendant stopped resisting after being warned that he would be tased.

Video Review of Incident

The responding officer wrote that Sgt. Cruz showed him video footage of the incident. According to the affidavit, the footage showed officers arguing with the defendant before Officers Medina and Foster grabbed him and attempted to place him against a wall.

The officer stated the defendant resisted and pushed himself off the wall. Officers then placed the defendant on the ground due to what the report described as combative behavior.

Physical Struggle With Officers

According to the affidavit, while officers were placing the defendant on the ground, the officer observed the defendant wrapping his leg around Officer Foster’s left leg. The report states this action battered the officer.

The affidavit states the defendant then grabbed Officer Foster’s right leg and latched onto the officer’s pants with both hands. The officer reported that the defendant later unwrapped his leg and kicked Officer Foster’s leg, striking the officer’s buttocks.

The report states the defendant began complying when Sgt. Cruz arrived.

Statements After Arrest

According to the affidavit, the responding officer read the defendant his Miranda rights before speaking with him. The defendant acknowledged understanding his rights and agreed to speak.

The defendant stated he became agitated with the two officers because he believed he had done nothing wrong. The affidavit states the defendant admitted wrapping his legs around Officer Foster and said his intent was to trip the officer.

The defendant also admitted grabbing Officer Foster’s leg while on the ground in an attempt to brace himself and told officers he did not want correctional officers telling him what to do.

The affidavit also states Officer Foster reported that both he and Officer Medina gave the defendant multiple directives that he did not follow. Officer Foster stated the defendant became combative when officers attempted to place him against a wall and that the officer was battered multiple times while placing the defendant on the ground.

The allegation comes after a separate San Juan County jail weapons case filed earlier this year involving an inmate accused of possessing a prohibited item inside the detention facility, according to court records.

Charges Filed

• Battery upon a peace officer (Count 1)

Case Status

The affidavit for arrest warrant was filed March 6, 2026, in Aztec Magistrate Court in San Juan County.

Source

Affidavit for Arrest Warrant filed in Aztec Magistrate Court in San Juan County.

Stevenson Benally is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations. No determination of guilt has been made.