A Farmington man was arrested after reportedly attempting to gain access to McKinley Elementary School, where he allegedly threatened to shoot a teacher.
The Tri-City Record learned Ernest Begay Jr., 45, has a criminal record dating to 2000. He is on probation and has been arrested 16 times on a number of felony and misdemeanor charges that include battery on a peace officer, battery on a health care worker, burglary, armed robbery, drug crimes and DWI.
Begay was sentenced by Magistrate Mark Hawkinson on June 28, 2023, to 1,840 days of supervised probation, which would expire June 21, 2028.
Since that time, Begay has been arrested and released at least five times, according to district and magistrate court records.
Begay’s most recent arrest was Aug. 21. He originally was charged with assault upon a school employee and unlawful shooting threats, both misdemeanors, as well as disorderly conduct and interference with members of staff or the general public, both petty misdemeanors.
Upon his arrest, he told Farmington Police officers “I'm gonna get out in the morning anyway.”
The Tri-City Record contacted the San Juan County District Attorney’s officer regarding Begay’s criminal history and the charges, after discovering in court records that the man was set to be released on his own recognizance.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Decker worked with the Farmington Police Department to amend the criminal complaint and charge Begay with a felony.
Making threats of shooting at a school became a crime that could be charged as a felony charge on July 1 in New Mexico.
Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe said all Farmington officers have been made aware of the change from a misdemeanor to a felony charge for threats of shooting at a school, and more training will be forthcoming in the department.
In this case, Farmington Police reportedly have video of Begay saying to a fifth-grade teacher “You are lucky I don’t have a gun or I’d f---king put you down,” according to the statement of probable cause.
Begay also reportedly was attempting to break car windows in the school parking lot and attempted to gain access to the school building, claiming his “nephew” attended school at McKinley, according to the statement of probable cause.
The incident began at 9:10 a.m. when Begay reportedly became “upset with a vehicle that pulled into the school. He also was deemed as “very drunk,” according to witness statements.
Witnesses and police reportedly heard him scream obscenities, while children were being dropped off at the school, which was put on immediate lock down, because Begay allegedly threatened to shoot the teacher, court records state.
The fifth-grade teacher also told police that Begay “lunged” at him, court records state.
“No weapons were located” on Begay, according to a news release from the Farmington Police Department.
However, because of the threat of violence, the felony charge and Begay’s criminal history, the DA filed a motion for a pretrial detention hold.
Other crimes of violence to which Begay has been charged include which consists threatening a convenience store clerk with a broken glass bottle, striking a man in the head with a rock and spitting in a police officer’s eye.
Begay’s case has been transferred to the 11th Judicial District Court, where a motion’s hearing on pretrial hold, as well as a preliminary hearing will be scheduled.
