Andrew Begay, 29, a Fruitland man released from jail March 31 while appealing a probation violation, is charged with first-degree murder in the April 15 killing of Eli Newton.
Begay was arrested and charged in the killing of Newton, 43, in downtown Farmington, according to court records.
Newton was found with significant injuries about 12:30 a.m. by the Farmington Fire Department’s Alternative Response Unit outside a building in the 400 block of East Broadway. He was later pronounced dead at San Juan Regional Medical Center.
The San Juan County District Attorney’s Office has filed an expedited pretrial detention motion to keep Begay in the San Juan County Detention Center pending trial.
The motion states Begay has been on probation since May 25, 2025, after a conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
Court records show Begay violated his probation June 10, 2025, by failing to report. His probation was reinstated June 26, 2025, with a “zero tolerance” order.
Begay failed to check in on July 15, and a warrant was issued. He was arrested Aug. 3 and received an unsatisfactory discharge Aug. 14. He was ordered to serve the remainder of his probation, 298 days, in the San Juan County Detention Center, court records show.
Begay was released from jail Nov. 9 because of a medical emergency, according to an email from the detention center to the Eleventh Judicial District Court.
After being released from the hospital, Begay did not report back to the court, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was arrested again Feb. 25, 2026, and was released the next day for another medical emergency, court records show.
Begay, through his attorney Skkye Moreno, a public defender, appealed his probation violation and was released from custody March 31 pending the outcome of the appeal, according to an order signed by District Court Judge Stephen Wayne.
Fifteen days after his release, Begay allegedly killed Newton.
The District Attorney’s Office stated that “if not kept in custody (Begay) will continue to pose a threat to the community.”
Begay’s first appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 20 in District Judge Curtis Gurley’s courtroom in Aztec.