A Farmington woman is accused of driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20 while two children were inside her vehicle in a Target parking lot, according to court records filed in Farmington Magistrate Court, San Juan County. Hope Begaye, 39, is charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated and child abuse, according to a statement of probable cause. The filing alleges the incident occurred on the evening of Feb. 14 at 4900 E. Main St.

What Court Records Allege

Report of Vehicle at Target

According to the statement of probable cause, a Farmington police officer was dispatched on Feb. 14 to the Target store at 4900 E. Main St. after a caller reported a Ford Explorer that had nearly side-swiped another vehicle while parking. The caller advised that a female was in the driver’s seat and “did not appear well,” and that a male was in the passenger seat who appeared to be drinking from a bottle, the document states.

When the officer arrived, he observed the Ford Explorer parked on the west side of the business and confirmed the license plate, according to the filing. The officer reported hearing the engine running and music playing. He observed two children in the back seat — one in a car seat and another in a rear passenger seat — court records allege.

Contact With Driver and Open Alcohol Container

The statement of probable cause states that when the officer made contact, the driver rolled her window down. The officer reported smelling a strong odor of an intoxicating beverage coming from the vehicle. He observed a glass bottle of Smirnoff vodka in the center console with the factory seal broken and approximately a quarter of its contents consumed, according to the filing.

The vehicle’s passenger was identified in court records as Brandon Wilson. According to the statement, Wilson admitted the bottle of Smirnoff was his and was issued a citation for open container. He was then released from the scene.

Field Sobriety Tests and Statements

According to the statement of probable cause, Begaye told the officer she had driven to Target from her residence with her children in the vehicle. The officer reported observing bloodshot, watery eyes, slurred speech and difficulty maintaining balance.

The filing states Begaye advised she had consumed one shot of alcohol approximately one hour earlier. The officer administered standardized field sobriety tests, including the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, walk-and-turn test and one-leg stand test. The officer reported observing multiple clues of impairment on each test, including lack of smooth pursuit in both eyes, stepping off line, missing heel-to-toe steps and using arms for balance.

Breath Test Results and Video Footage

After being transported to the Farmington Police Department, Begaye initially refused to submit to a chemical breath test, according to the statement of probable cause. After being advised of the potential consequences, she agreed to testing. The first breath test on the Intoxilyzer 9000 registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.20, and a second test administered minutes later also measured 0.20, the filing states. Under New Mexico law, a BAC of 0.08 or higher constitutes driving while intoxicated.

The document states that Real Time Crime Center video footage showed the vehicle traveling on East Main Street and turning onto English. The officer wrote that the vehicle description matched the Ford Explorer located at the scene.

Charges Filed

• Aggravated driving while intoxicated (DWI), first offense, blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher, misdemeanor under NMSA 1978, § 66-8-102
• Child abuse, not resulting in death or great bodily harm, under NMSA 1978, § 30-6-1

Under New Mexico law, aggravated DWI may be charged when a driver’s blood alcohol concentration is 0.16 or higher. The charges are allegations that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Case Status

The statement of probable cause states Begaye was transported to the San Juan County Adult Detention Center following her arrest. Information regarding bond, custody status or a future court date was not included in the court filing reviewed for this report.

Source

Statement of Probable Cause filed Feb. 16, 2026, in Farmington Magistrate Court, San Juan County.

The document was sworn by a Farmington police 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.