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."
The initial call was received at 5:23 AM. The individual was identified from video surveillance. The male was contacted by Durango Police Department Patrol and is now in custody. He has been identified as Joe Brinkerhoff, a resident of the City of Durango. Due to a prior incident, Joe Brinkerhoff was trespassed from the property and his Rec Center privileges were suspended.
After a thorough and ongoing investigation by detectives and working with the district attorney's office, a thorough review of the case was conducted, and the decision to proceed with criminal charges was made. A warrant was issued to charge Heather Fernandez-Hoefer. She was taken into custody without incident on April 1, 2025.
Upon arrival, deputies made contact with multiple individuals including juveniles and young adults and located a deceased individual identified as Samuell Tariq Liggins, age 20.
Following an extensive investigation by Farmington Police Department detectives, an arrest warrant was issued for 40-year-old Matthew Sandoval, who is known to have a family connection to Madrid, who has been charged with 1st Degree Murder and Tampering with Evidence. On March 28, Sandoval was located by U.S. Marshals in the 400 block of W. Animas. Farmington Police officers responded and arrested Sandoval on the outstanding warrant.
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Officers canvassed the area for the suspect; however, investigators believe the individual left the area prior to police arrival. The Farmington Police Department is releasing a video of a person of interest. The video shows a male on a bicycle headed east on Navajo Street towards Lincoln Avenue. The Farmington Police Department urges anyone with information or video surveillance from the area to contact detectives at 505-599-1068.