AZTEC, N.M. — A Farmington man is facing multiple felony fraud charges after investigators alleged he deposited several checks that had already been credited to his bank account, according to a criminal complaint filed in Aztec Magistrate Court.
Court records state that the charges stem from a series of mobile check deposits made in July 2023, which investigators allege resulted in more than $1,800 being fraudulently obtained.
What court records allege
According to the criminal complaint, Derrick J. Smith is accused of digitally depositing three separate checks into a Wells Fargo bank account ending in 0216, despite those checks having already been deposited and credited.
The complaint alleges that the deposits occurred on or about July 26, July 28, and July 31, 2023, in San Juan County. Investigators claim the checks were originally issued by Smith’s former employers and were made payable to other individuals.
Court records state that the checks were deposited via mobile banking and that Smith allegedly knew the funds had already been credited to the account prior to the additional deposits.
The total amount investigators allege was fraudulently obtained across the three transactions was $1,817.20.
Charges filed
Smith is charged with three counts of fraud over $500, each classified as a fourth-degree felony under New Mexico law.
Each count corresponds to a separate alleged deposit, with the criminal complaint listing the individual check amounts as approximately $617.92, $617.92, and $581.36.
The charges were filed in Aztec Magistrate Court and approved for prosecution by the San Juan County District Attorney’s Office.
What the charges mean
Under New Mexico law, fraud over $500 is considered a fourth-degree felony. A fourth-degree felony is punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000, though sentencing outcomes depend on numerous factors, including criminal history and judicial discretion.
Financial crime cases involving alleged misuse or duplication of funds have appeared in other San Juan County court filings, including a separate embezzlement case previously reported by San Juan Pulse involving allegations of improper financial transactions.
Readers can find additional public-records reporting on a similar financial crime case here:
San Juan County embezzlement case filed in magistrate court
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A criminal complaint is an accusation, not a finding of guilt. The charges represent allegations that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
Case status and next steps
Court records indicate that a judge reviewed the filing and found probable cause to support the charges on Feb. 6, 2026.
The case will proceed through the magistrate court process unless dismissed, resolved by plea, or bound over for further proceedings. No disposition has been reached at this stage.
Smith is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Source of information
This article is based on a criminal complaint filed Feb. 6, 2026, in Aztec Magistrate Court, San Juan County, New Mexico.
Case status is current as of the time of publication.