SAN JUAN COUNTY — A Farmington man has been charged with kidnapping and multiple felony offenses after an alleged incident along Road 3000 near Aztec, according to a criminal complaint filed in San Juan County Magistrate Court.
Michael Dawes, 34, was charged with first-degree kidnapping, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the May 14 investigation, according to court records.
All charges are allegations based on court records, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
According to a statement of probable cause, San Juan County Sheriff’s deputies responded shortly after midnight to the area of Road 3000 after family members reported concerns involving a woman. Deputies wrote that relatives reported hearing yelling near the river area and alleged Dawes was preventing the woman from leaving.
The affidavit states family members reported hearing the woman say “leave me alone” during phone calls placed before deputies arrived. According to the affidavit, Dawes and the woman had attended a concert at Lauter Haus earlier that evening before traveling toward the area near the river.
Deputies reported locating Dawes climbing up a berm near the roadway. According to court records, Dawes complied with commands to stand and walk toward deputies but allegedly refused orders to get on his knees before he was handcuffed. Deputies later reported locating firearms inside Dawes’ truck.
According to court records, the woman was later located sitting in the back seat of a vehicle near the scene. Investigators alleged the woman appeared wet and had visible injuries, including swelling on the back of her head. Investigators also alleged Dawes struck the woman in the head with a hard object believed to be a rock and pointed a firearm at her head while telling her “we are not going anywhere.”
The affidavit states the woman later received medical treatment at a hospital following the incident. Investigators wrote that she reported intermittently losing awareness during portions of the incident.
According to investigators, deputies reviewed witness statements, text messages, phone records and Flock camera data during the investigation. Court records state investigators used camera information showing Dawes’ truck traveling eastbound on Main Street near Pinon Hills at approximately 10:10 p.m. to help establish the timeline described by witnesses and family members.
CHARGES FILED
- Kidnapping (first degree)
- Aggravated battery with a deadly weapon
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
CASE STATUS
Dawes was arrested May 14, according to court records. Online court filings did not immediately indicate whether he had retained legal counsel.
SOURCE
According to a criminal complaint and statement of probable cause filed in Aztec Magistrate Court.