Former Deputy Charged with Sexual Assault

Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 5:58 PM

Daniel Chesser | Courtesy: San Juan County Sheriff's Office

The complaint states that Daniel forced himself upon her sexually for approximately three minutes, until she could break free and warn her husband. The husband retrieved a gun and knife from the house and told Daniel if he didn’t leave the property he would kill him. The husband of the victim admitted to stabbing Daniel’s vehicle as he drove away.

From the San Juan County Sheriff's Office:

On July 17, 2018 at approximately 2:39am, deputies and detectives from the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence near Aztec to investigate a complaint of criminal sexual penetration.
The investigation showed that four adults were having a party involving alcohol.
During the party, the victim went into the house to check on an infant. When she was on her way back outside, she was met in the kitchen by her friend’s boyfriend, Daniel Chesser. The victim stated Daniel made very strong sexual approaches towards her stating, “I know you want this.” The victim repeatedly told Daniel, “No.”
The complaint states that Daniel forced himself upon her sexually for approximately three minutes, until she could break free and warn her husband. The husband retrieved a gun and knife from the house and told Daniel if he didn’t leave the property he would kill him. The husband of the victim admitted to stabbing Daniel’s vehicle as he drove away.
Daniel Chesser contact police stating that he was being accused of rape, and that he did not do anything. He also confirmed his vehicle was stabbed as he was leaving his friend's house.
After deputies interviewed Daniel, he was taken into custody and transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center where a search warrant was executed on his body. After the interview and investigation, the District Attorney’s Office approved an arrest warrant for Daniel.
He was booked into the San Juan County Detention Center for two counts- Criminal Sexual Penetration in the 2nd degree (force or coercion, personal injury) and Criminal Sexual Contact (force or coercion, unclothed). Daniel Chesser was previously employed as a deputy with the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office from March 24, 2014 to April 15th, 2016.

More from Local News

Lauren Laws Named Interim Superintendent for Aztec Schools

For 15 years, Lauren Laws has dedicated her career to Aztec Schools, beginning as a Special Education teacher in 2008. In 2010 she transitioned to General Education, where she spent six years in the classroom working with 4th and 5th graders at Park Avenue Elementary while completing work on her Master's Degree. During her tenure at Park Avenue Elementary, she also served a Lead Teacher, Assistant Principal, and Principal. Lauren has spent the past three years serving as the Associate Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for the district.
Durango Picks Brice Current to be New Police Chief

Brice Current was a former narcotics agent with the San Juan County Sheriff's Office in Aztec, NM. He was hired as Durango's Deputy Police Chief in 2019.
Farmington Schools Hires first Armed Campus Safety Monitor

The FMS Board of Education authorized school security personnel to carry firearms on school premises during their January 9, 2024, meeting. The move paved the way for the hiring of Armed Campus Safety Monitors (ACSMs), former certified law enforcement officers tasked with providing an additional layer of protection for students and staff during emergencies.
City Breaks Ground on Pinon Hills Extension

Farmington Officials gathered with representatives from the NM Department of Transportation and San Juan County to break ground on the long-anticipated Pinon Hills Boulevard Extension Project. San Juan County announced that design work on their section of the project is 90% completed.
Candidates Declare their Intent to Run in the June 4, 2024 Primary

Some returning candidates and also some new names from Tuesday's filing day on March 12, 2024. These candidates have filed their notice to run in the June 4, 2024 Primary. Some candidates are unopposed. The winners in June will face off on November 5, 2024.