SAN JUAN COUNTY, N.M. — Farmington police arrested Joshua Howard on February 2, 2026, after responding to reports of prolonged screaming and an apparent domestic assault inside an apartment, according to a sworn statement of probable cause filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.
Officers were dispatched after a caller reported hearing a woman yelling for help and sounding distressed for an extended period of time. When police arrived, they documented visible injuries, blood inside the residence, and statements alleging a physical assault that continued as the woman attempted to escape and seek help.
What Police Say Happened
According to the probable cause statement, officers encountered the woman inside the apartment visibly shaken and injured. She told police that an argument with Howard escalated after he returned to the residence. She reported that Howard pushed her, struck her multiple times, and forced her onto a bed before continuing the assault.
The woman told officers that when she attempted to leave, Howard pulled her to the ground, continued striking her, and blocked her efforts to call for help. Police allege Howard placed his hands over her mouth during
the incident, interfering with her ability to scream or contact authorities.
Officers documented swelling, bruising, abrasions, and multiple lumps on the woman’s head. Blood was observed on the carpet and near the doorway of the apartment. Police photographed the injuries and the blood evidence, noting that the woman appeared fearful and in pain while giving her statement.
Children Inside the Residence
Court records state that children were present in the apartment during portions of the incident. Neighbors later told police they heard extended screaming and yelling coming from the residence, prompting concern that the situation had escalated beyond a verbal argument.
Investigators noted that the presence of children and the duration of the disturbance heightened concerns for safety when officers arrived.
Arrest and Medical Clearance
Howard was located nearby and taken into custody without further incident. Officers observed that Howard had visible injuries as well, but police stated their primary focus was determining the source and sequence of injuries given the length and severity of the alleged assault.
Howard was medically evaluated and later cleared. According to police, he declined to provide a detailed statement after invoking his rights.
Prior Incidents Involving the Same Victim
While the February 2026 incident is charged as a separate case, court records show Joshua Howard has been arrested multiple times in prior years for alleged domestic violence incidents involving the same victim.
Affidavits filed in 2024 describe earlier incidents in which Howard was accused of breaking into the residence after arguments, assaulting the woman, interfering with her ability to call for help, and damaging property. In one prior case, officers documented visible injuries and broken windows after Howard allegedly returned following an argument and forced his way back inside.
In another filing, police described a late-night incident in which Howard allegedly left, then came back and escalated the confrontation further. Court records indicate Howard has previously served time related to similar offenses.
Police referenced the earlier cases as background context when documenting the February 2026 incident, noting the repeated nature of the allegations and the involvement of the same parties.
Additional Related Case
Court records also show another man, Joshua Sansing, was named in a separate 2026 case involving alleged stalking and repeated unwanted contact following a relationship dispute. In that case, investigators documented allegations of persistent messages, calls from unknown numbers, and conduct prosecutors said rose to the level of criminal stalking.
That case is detailed here:
Charges Filed
As a result of the February 2, 2026 incident, Joshua Howard was charged with:
- Aggravated Battery Against a Household Member
- False Imprisonment
- Interference With Communications
Court records show the case was referred for further review, with additional documentation submitted due to the overlap between incidents reported on consecutive days. Howard was released from custody shortly after booking. No conviction has been entered.
Presumption of Innocence
All allegations described in this report are drawn from sworn police affidavits and court filings. Joshua Howard has not been convicted of the charges related to the February 2026 incident and is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Legal & Public-Interest Disclaimer
This article is based on statements of probable cause and affidavits for arrest warrant filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court. Allegations have not been tested in court. Names of alleged victims and specific residential addresses are withheld in accordance with editorial standards and public-interest considerations.