Former Colorado Prosecutor Sues San Juan County Sheriff, Alleging False Arrest

Christian Hatfield, a former Montezuma County district attorney in Colorado, filed suit in the 11th Judicial District Court on November 3, 2025 against the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, naming Deputy Avery Killifer and Captain Justin Reiker in claims that include false arrest, malicious prosecution and defamation. The complaint centers on a single vehicle crash on August 30, 2025 at US 64 and County Road 5099 and the actions of local law enforcement that followed, according to the complaint and reporting by the Tri City Record.

State police and hospital records referenced in the complaint show an open beer can and an Ambien zolpidem bottle in the vehicle. Hatfield was charged with driving while intoxicated, a misdemeanor, and was later acquitted at a bench trial on September 17, 2025. The complaint alleges Deputy Killifer submitted a false affidavit seeking a blood warrant and that Captain Reiker ordered or knew about the alleged improper action. The suit contends the blood warrant application violated New Mexico statute 66 8 11 because the circumstances did not establish probable cause to believe a felony DWI or great bodily harm or death was involved.

According to the complaint, Hatfield’s blood was drawn about 11 hours after the crash while he was unconscious at San Juan Regional Medical Center. The complaint states the sample was transported to and stored at the sheriff’s office and was not processed until October 4 due to a processing delay. Laboratory results obtained by the paper and cited in the lawsuit indicate low level ethanol at 0.05 g per 100 milliliters and zolpidem at 0.04 mg per liter.

The complaint alleges the resulting media coverage and the prosecution had concrete personal consequences for Hatfield, including the loss of campaign contributions and contributing to his defeat in a reelection bid. The suit seeks damages for emotional distress, reputational harm and lost income among other relief.

For San Juan County residents the case touches on several local concerns. The complaint raises procedural questions about when deputies or supervisors may seek blood warrants, the standards used to determine probable cause for elevated charges, and how evidence from hospital blood draws is handled and stored. The case also has potential fiscal implications, as county legal defenses and any judgments would affect public resources. Finally the lawsuit underscores how law enforcement actions can influence public perception and electoral outcomes for individuals who engage in civic life.

The case was filed November 3 and is now pending in the 11th Judicial District Court. The Tri City Record reported on the complaint and used public records requests to obtain the materials cited in the suit. As the litigation proceeds, it may prompt review of local policies and renewed attention to transparency and accountability in the sheriff’s office.