A Farmington woman has been charged with multiple offenses after police say she slipped out of her handcuffs and began kicking at an officer while seated in a patrol vehicle following a traffic stop near 30th Street and Pinion Hills Boulevard.
Steffanie Ann Begay, 24, was arrested April 21 after officers initiated a stop on a blue Dodge passenger car that was allegedly traveling at a high rate of speed westbound on 30th Street, according to a statement of probable cause filed in Farmington Magistrate Court.
According to the complaint, the vehicle turned onto Glade Lane and was stopped at a red light near the intersection with Pinion Hills Boulevard. Officers made contact with Begay, who was identified as the driver. Police allege she did not have a driver’s license with her and showed signs of intoxication.
Investigators reported Begay admitted to consuming alcohol earlier in the day, telling officers she had a double shot of vodka around 1 p.m. and another shot around 7 p.m., and agreed to perform standardized field sobriety tests. Police allege she showed multiple clues of impairment during testing, including issues with balance and coordination.
According to the report, Begay told officers she was driving home and confirmed a 2-year-old child was inside the vehicle. Police later noted the child was picked up at the scene by her father.
Officers conducted breath testing at the Farmington Police Department using an Intoxilyzer 9000. According to the complaint, the results showed breath alcohol concentrations of 0.16 and 0.17.
Police allege that while being transported, Begay managed to remove her seatbelt and slip one of her hands free from the handcuffs. When the officer opened the patrol vehicle door, she allegedly exited, kicked at the officer multiple times, and spit toward the officer while resisting.
According to the report, officers forced her to the ground and regained control before placing her back into the patrol vehicle.
Begay later complained of arm pain and was transported to a local hospital, where medical staff determined there were no broken bones, according to the complaint.
CHARGES FILED
- Aggravated Driving While Under the Influence (0.16 or above)
- Reckless Driving
- No Driver’s License
- Resisting, Evading, or Obstructing an Officer
- Battery Upon a Peace Officer
- Escape or Attempt to Escape from a Peace Officer
- Abuse of a Child (No Great Bodily Harm) – Second Offense
- Probation Violation
The allegations follow a recent Farmington DWI case tied to an early-morning traffic complaint, according to court records in a separate matter.
CASE STATUS
Begay was booked into the San Juan County Adult Detention Center. Court records indicate this is her first alleged DWI offense and a second alleged offense related to child abuse. The case remains pending in Farmington Magistrate Court.
SOURCE
Statement of Probable Cause, Farmington Police Department; Farmington Magistrate Court records.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.