Former Deputy Charged with Sexual Assault

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.

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