A Farmington man’s throat was slit with a machete in a Jan. 28 altercation in the Lamplighter Mobile Home Park on Fairgrounds Road.

Farmington Police were called at 7:07 p.m. Jan. 28 to the corner of Sullivan Avenue and Navajo Street in reference to a stabbing. Upon arrival, they met with James Albin, who “was bleeding from his right hand and on the left side of his throat,” according to the statement of probable cause.

Albin told police he had gone to the home of Christopher Chad Smith, 38, in search of Smith’s girlfriend, Celina Gallegos. Albin said she was “an old high school friend,” and they would hang out at times drinking, court records state.

The afternoon of Jan. 28, Gallegos reportedly “went on an alcohol run” for Albin, who gave her $20 to purchase “four shots of 99 Cherry.” The woman returned with the shots, but did not provide Albin with any change, according to the statement of probable cause.

Albin told police he texted Gallegos asking for his change and then went to the residence she shared with Smith. Albin said when Smith opened the door he was “confrontational” and “angry” and accused him of being in a relationship with Gallegos, court records state.

Smith reportedly approached Albin from the back and “began to cut Mr. Albin’s throat with the machete.” He then reportedly “yelled ‘I’m going to (expletive) kill you and cut your head off’ as the blade was against Mr. Albin’s throat,” according to the statement of probable cause.

Albin told police he was able to grab the machete blade with his right hand and removed it from his throat. He ran away and called the police.

Smith reportedly “admitted to using the machete,” and was arrested by police and charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to court records, which also showed that this was the fourth time he had been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. Smith also was a “convicted felon and had recently been off parole.”

A preliminary hearing is set for Feb. 7 in Farmington Magistrate Court.