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.

More from Local News

  • Woman Injured in Shooting, Suspect Arrested

    As three individuals tried to leave a party, a male subject began shooting, unintentionally striking the vehicle and, subsequently, a passenger inside the vehicle. The passenger was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center and later transported to UNM in Albuquerque, where she is awake and in stable condition.

  • Arrest Made in Fatal Hit & Run

    Using multiple means of evidence, the driver was identified as Alvin Paul who was driving a 2003 white Chevrolet when he veered off the road, hitting Shirley. Paul did not stop or report the crash and surveillance footage from a nearby business proved Paul as the driver. He later admitted to operating the vehicle carelessly.  At the time of the crash, Paul’s driver’s license was revoked from a prior DWI arrests. He has two prior DWI convictions and is currently on probation for the second DWI.

  • Two Dead after Shooting in Farmington-Update

    Preliminary investigation indicates the individuals involved were known to one another, and this incident does not appear to be a random act of violence.

  • Candidates File for Municipal Elections

    Candidates filed for municipal elections today. Elections will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

  • Man Arrested after School Threat

    No weapons were located on the suspect and he was arrested and charged with assault upon a school employee, unlawful shooting threats, disorderly conduct, and interference with members of staff or the general public.

  • 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.

On KSJE Now:

Today's Weather

  • Farmington, NM

    Sunny

    High: 86°F | Low: 46°F

  • Durango, CO

    Sunny

    High: 81°F | Low: 37°F

  • Shiprock, NM

    Sunny

    High: 88°F | Low: 48°F

  • Cortez, CO

    Sunny

    High: 84°F | Low: 43°F

  • Santa Fe, NM

    Sunny intervals

    High: 77°F | Low: 46°F