Former Crimestoppers Director Charged with Embezzlement

Carlee Hooper (Courtesy: San Juan Co. Sheriff's Office)

The former Executive Director, Carlee Hooper, turned herself in today on a 4th degree Felony Warrant for Embezzlement and a 4th degree Felony Warrant for Tampering with Evidence.

From the San Juan Co. Sheriff's Office:

In recent weeks, the San Juan County Crime Stoppers Board of Directors approached our Detectives Division for assistance with discrepancies in their financial statements. During the investigation, bank statements and financial statements were acquired for a two-and-a-half-year period. Detectives have located over $2300.00 in unreported charges made by the Executive Director, including personal purchases and ATM cash withdraws. The former Executive Director, Carlee Hooper, turned herself in today on a 4th degree Felony Warrant for Embezzlement and a 4th degree Felony Warrant for Tampering with Evidence.

 

The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reached out to Judge Richard W. Carter (Ret.), Director of Legal Services with Crime Stoppers USA, and he stated the following:

 

"Over the approximately forty-two (42) years of success with the Crime Stoppers program, there have unfortunately been occasions where the Crime Stoppers charity itself has been the victim of crimes such as theft and embezzlement.  In those situations, it is important for the public to know that changes will be made to make Crime Stoppers less vulnerable to crimes; that no one who works with Crime Stoppers is above the law; and that Crime Stoppers ask that no mercy be extended to any criminal defendant who preys upon charities which depend upon citizen volunteers and charitable dollars.  Lastly, you CAN trust that information Crime Stoppers receives is protected and our promises of anonymity will be kept." 

 

More from Local News

  • Study finds local rail line "feasible," Project moves Forward

    In addition, the study finds that reducing truck traffic on major highways is a major benefit to rail, with reduced motor vehicle crashes and reduced wear and tear to roadways. The next phase of this project is already funded by a $4 million Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Grant and $1 million match from the New Mexico Match Fund.

  • New Farmington Temple Prepares for Public Open House

    The public is invited to tour the Farmington Temple from Thursday, July 17, through Saturday, August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.

  • SJRMC & San Juan College agree to expand Nursing Program

    Full-time nursing faculty members will receive a $10,000 annual stipend on top of their base salary to enhance the program’s capacity. In addition, students will have an opportunity to enter into an agreement with SJRMC to receive a substantial $4,800 living stipend per semester,

  • Man Arrested for Fruitland Murder

     Following verbal arguments at the house of Adrian Begay (age 45), De Andre Julian (age 23) left with his girlfriend, Adrian Begay’s daughter, Adriana Begay (age 21) to a nearby residence. Adrian Begay followed them to the exterior of the residence when De Andre Julian produced a handgun and shot Adrian Begay multiple times in the chest at close range.

  • Feds Indict Shiprock Father & Son for Illegal Marijuana Farms in NM

    The charges include conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, manufacture of 1,000 kilograms and more of marijuana and 1,000 and more marijuana plants, possession with intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms and more of marijuana and 1,000 and more marijuana plants, maintaining drug-involved premises, and two counts of knowingly discharging pollutants into waters of the United States without a permit.

  • 2024 Election: San Juan County Contested Races

    These are the unofficial election results from voting on Tuesday, November 5, 2024 of the contested races in San Juan County, NM.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny

    High: 97°F | Low: 63°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 93°F | Low: 54°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny

    High: 99°F | Low: 63°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny intervals

    High: 97°F | Low: 55°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Thunder storm

    High: 86°F | Low: 59°F