Repeat Offender Charged with Murder

Suspect Arrested in Flora Vista killing of Karen Cugnini.

San Juan County, NM – On October 1, 2015, San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the 200 block of County Road 3050 in reference to a female who was found to be found unresponsive.   Deputies and Medics arrived to find 69 year old Karen Cugnini deceased.  Through the investigation Detectives were able to identify that Karen’s vehicle a 2003 white Ford F-150 was stolen and she appeared to have suffered from a single gunshot wound. 

The investigation lead to Karen’s F-150 being located in Kirtland, NM, and to the suspect being Rick Stallings (50 year-old Farmington man), a warrant was issued for Receiving a stolen vehicle.

On October 3, 2015, Detectives were able to track Rick Stallings to 804 Ouray Ave, where members from San Juan County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Farmington Police Department SWAT Team surrounded the residence and were able to take Rick Stallings into custody.  Michelle Every (44 year-old of Farmington) was arrested for outstanding warrants and Lewis David Gutierrez (51 year-old of Farmington) and home owner of 804 Ouray Ave was also arrested for harboring a felon and felon in possession of a firearm. 

On October 6, 2015, a warrant was issued for the arrest of Rick Stallings for;

• Murder in the 1^st degree
• Aggravated burglary (armed with a deadly weapon)
• Larceny (over $20,000)
• Tampering with evidence
• Larceny of a firearm
• Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle
• Possession of a firearm by a felon
• Disposing of stolen property (firearm)
• Theft of identity
• 3 counts of Theft of credit cards
•  

Rick Stallings will be held without bond.

Our suspect is a perfect example of the failure of our justice system, which allows a dangerous repeat offender to continually roam our streets until an innocent victim is killed.  For those that don’t understand look at his record and his progression and escalation in violence which is by fueled by methamphetamine.

• Sheriff Ken Christesen

Rick G. Stallings – Local Criminal History

Sheriff’s Office History – Arrests

10/02/2015 Felony    CNL - Booked     201500036226     AFR1500444 WARRANT

08/06/2007 Felony    CNL - OSS                         CR05001147 WARRANT

07/23/2007 Felony    CNL - OSS                         CR07000480 WARRANT

07/23/2007 Felony    CNL - OSS                         CR07000657 WARRANT

11/09/2005 Felony    CNL - OSS        200538530/SO     AFR0500781 WARRANT

09/15/2005 Misdemean CNL - Court                       AFR0500601 WARRANT

11/01/2004 Felony    CNL - OSS                         CR09800648 WARRANT

07/22/2004 Felony    CNL - Booked                      AFR0400515 WARRANT

10/22/2003 Felony    CNL - OSS                         CR09800631 WARRANT

10/22/2003 Felony    CNL - OSS                         CR09800632 WARRANT

06/01/1998 Misdemean CNL - Booked                      147MR98121 WARRANT

05/02/2007  WXT- OTHER FELONY        2007-00016235   000000023170 ARREST

11/23/2005  AGG BURG-RESID-UNLAWFUL- 2005-00038530   000000023231 ARREST

09/06/2005  RECEIVING OR TRANSFERRIN 2005-00033357   000000018429 ARREST

07/23/2004  AGG BATT-CITIZEN-FIREARM 2004-00026212   000000015274 ARREST

07/22/2004  AGG BATT-CITIZEN-HANDS,F 2004-00018671   000000015267 ARREST

09/13/1998  BATTERY ON A PO-HANDS,FI 1998-00026869   000000002771 ARREST

07/09/1998  WXT-CONTEMPT OF COURT    1998-00019664   000000002373 ARREST

04/25/1998  CONCEALING IDENTITY      1998-00011113   000000001903 ARREST

01/29/1998  BATTERY-HSEHLD MEM-SIMPL 1998-00002752   000000001349 ARREST

Farmington Police Department History – Arrests

07/23/2007 Felony    CNL - OSS        200700040562     FFR0700446 WARRANT

04/12/2006 Felony    CNL - Booked     200500058317     FFR0600259 WARRANT

07/22/1998 Felony    CNL - Booked                      FR98000324 WARRANT

07/02/1998 Felony    CNL - Booked                      FR98000296 WARRANT

07/07/1998  RECEIVING OR TRANSFERRIN 1998-00030655   000000003571 ARREST

06/22/1998  MISCELLANEOUS OFFENSES   1998-00027751   000000003473 ARREST

06/22/1998  RECV/DISP/RETN STLN PROP 1998-00027724   000000003495 ARREST

Aztec Police Department History – Arrests

10/01/2015 Felony    CNL - Booked     201500008113     AFR1500439 WARRANT

New Mexico State Police History – Arrests

08/20/2007 Misdemean CNL - Booked                      ATR0501982 WARRANT