A Farmington woman on probation faces three felony charges and four misdemeanor charges stemming from an April 21 DWI investigation that police say escalated into a confrontation with an officer.
Steffanie Begay, 24, was arrested after Farmington police stopped her at 6:54 p.m. at West 30th Street and Pinon Hills Boulevard.
Begay was sentenced to three years of supervised probation after a June 28, 2024, conviction for battery on a peace officer.
In the April 21 case, Begay was charged with second-degree felony child abuse, fourth-degree felony attempt to escape from custody, fourth-degree felony battery on a peace officer and misdemeanor charges of aggravated DWI, reckless driving, resisting arrest and driving without a license.
According to court records, Farmington Police Lt. Christopher Blea saw Begay driving at a high rate of speed and initiated a traffic stop. Begay’s 2-year-old daughter was in the vehicle.
Blea asked Begay whether she had been drinking, and she allegedly said yes, according to the statement of probable cause.
Officer Shenaya Ranger arrived on scene and conducted field sobriety tests, which Begay allegedly failed. Begay also agreed to an Intoxilyzer breath test at 8:23 p.m. and recorded a 0.16, about twice the legal limit, court records state.
Begay was handcuffed and initially got into the police vehicle without incident. Once inside, she allegedly removed her seat belt and placed both hands at her sides, according to court records.
Ranger stopped the vehicle to check on Begay and was allegedly attacked when she opened the door, the statement of probable cause states.
Begay “jumped out of the vehicle, grabbed my hair with her left hand, and pulled,” Ranger wrote in court records.
Ranger stated she took Begay “straight to the ground,” but Begay allegedly maintained her grip on the officer’s hair and wrapped her legs around the officer’s waist.
After Ranger gained control, Begay allegedly kicked her legs and lifted her arms in an attempt to push the officer away, according to court records.
Another officer arrived to help control the situation and reapply handcuffs, the statement of probable cause states.
Begay later complained of injury and requested transport to San Juan Regional Medical Center, where an X-ray showed she likely strained her arm and she was cleared, according to court records.
Despite the alleged probation violation, Magistrate Trudy Chase ordered Begay released to Pretrial Services.
Begay’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. April 29 in Farmington Magistrate Court.