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.
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.
Invited guests will tour the temple, the afternoon of July 14, and all day on July 15 and 16, 2025. A public open house will run from July 17 to August 2, 2025, excluding Sundays.
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.