Aztec Man Faces Change of Plea in Two Criminal Matters
Preston Anglin, 35, of Aztec appeared in court Dec. 8, 2025 and a change of plea hearing was scheduled for Jan. 22, 2026 at the 11th Judicial District Courthouse in Aztec. The case combines a second degree homicide by vehicle charge from an April crash with an earlier extreme animal cruelty allegation that has unnerved residents, making the outcome locally significant.
A status hearing in Aztec on Dec. 8, 2025 set a change of plea hearing for Jan. 22, 2026 after prosecutors and defense counsel signaled that plea negotiations will address multiple pending matters against Preston Anglin. Anglin, 35, remains jailed on a second degree homicide by vehicle charge and a misdemeanor DWI tied to an April crash that killed Dexter Crank. Court records show the same defendant faces a probation violation related to two fourth degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charges and a fourth degree extreme animal cruelty count arising from an August 2024 episode.
Prosecutors allege that in August 2024 Anglin tied his dog to a Winnebago and dragged the animal to death. Witness statements described a blood trail and the deceased dog found near the recreational vehicle. Authorities also allege Anglin briefly fled to Prescott, Arizona in 2024 to avoid the earlier charges. During the Dec. 8 status hearing defense counsel said a plea will apply to "both matters."
For San Juan County residents the proceedings touch on public safety, accountability, and animal welfare. The fatal April crash raised community concerns about road safety and impaired driving, while the alleged animal cruelty prompted calls for stronger enforcement and care standards. A single plea that resolves multiple cases would determine whether sentencing can address the full scope of alleged conduct, and it may affect probation and future monitoring requirements.
Court scheduling now directs attention to the 11th Judicial District Courthouse in Aztec where the change of plea hearing will take place on Jan. 22, 2026 at 11 a.m. The hearing will clarify whether Anglin will enter pleas that resolve the separate criminal matters or whether the cases will proceed to trial. Until then Anglin remains in detention and the county continues to await a resolution that many residents view as central to community safety and justice for both human and animal victims.
