Knife Threat, Forced Entry Alleged During Fight at Farmington Apartment
FARMINGTON, N.M. — Court records allege a disturbance at a Farmington apartment escalated into threats involving a knife and physical confrontations. The allegations are detailed in a statement of probable cause filed in Farmington Magistrate Court. Investigators allege juveniles were present during the incident.
The incident is alleged to have occurred Feb. 7 at an apartment in the 1700 block of East Elm Street, according to the affidavit.
What Court Records Allege
Fight Reported Inside Elm Street Apartment
According to the statement of probable cause, Farmington police were dispatched to an apartment complex on East Elm Street after receiving a report of a fight inside a residence. The affidavit states officers were told multiple individuals were involved in a physical altercation inside the apartment.
Officers identified Rafael Thomas as the defendant in the case. Court records state officers separated individuals at the scene and began conducting interviews to determine what occurred prior to police arrival.
Knife Allegedly Displayed During Confrontation
The affidavit states Thomas allegedly displayed a knife during the confrontation and made threatening statements toward others inside the apartment. Investigators allege the knife was used to intimidate those present, causing fear of immediate bodily harm.
According to court records, individuals inside the apartment reported feeling threatened by the alleged display of the weapon.
Alleged Forced Entry and Physical Contact
Court filings allege Thomas forced his way into a bedroom within the apartment during the incident. The affidavit states physical contact occurred, leading to allegations that individuals were pushed or restrained.
Investigators wrote that statements collected at the scene were consistent with a physical confrontation inside the residence.
Juveniles Present During Incident
The affidavit states juveniles were inside the apartment at the time of the alleged confrontation. Court records note that the presence of minors was considered during the charging decision.
Officers conducted separate interviews with those present, according to the affidavit.
Charges Filed
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon — felony (three counts)
- Battery — misdemeanor
- Interference with communications — misdemeanor
- Contributing to the delinquency of a minor — misdemeanor
Each charge is an allegation that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Case Status
A notice of hearing filed in Farmington Magistrate Court shows Thomas is scheduled for a preliminary examination later this month. Bond and custody details were not fully outlined in the filings reviewed for this report.
Thomas was also named in a separate Farmington case involving stalking allegations, according to court records detailed in a prior San Juan Pulse report: Farmington stalking arrest warrant case.
Source
This report is based on a statement of probable cause filed Feb. 7, 2026, in San Juan County Magistrate Court. The document was sworn by a Farmington Police Department officer.
All persons charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Charges are allegations and do not constitute evidence of guilt.