{"id":31134,"date":"2023-10-16T22:08:05","date_gmt":"2023-10-17T04:08:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/san-juan-county-sheriffs-office-provides-update-in-shooting\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T01:35:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T07:35:09","slug":"san-juan-county-sheriffs-office-provides-update-in-shooting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.durangoherald.com\/tj\/san-juan-county-sheriffs-office-provides-update-in-shooting\/","title":{"rendered":"San Juan County Sheriff\u2019s Office provides update in shooting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Abel
Abel Soto<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The San Juan County Sheriff\u2019s Office has released new details into what led to the Sept. 22 deputy-involved shooting of Abel Soto of Colorado and named a second suspect as Johnny Maestas of Aztec.<\/p>\n

Maestas, 35, was arrested Oct. 2 and charged with unlawful taking of a motor vehicle, auto burglary, robbery and aggravated burglary.<\/p>\n

\"Johnny
Johnny Maestas, 35, of Aztec, has been named as a suspect in a home invasion that led to a shooting by a San Juan County Sheriff\u2019s Office deputy.<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The charges are in connection to an alleged Sept. 18 home invasion at a residence west of Bloomfield.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe victim, a 76-year-old female, reported that a male with long hair knocked on her door. He stated he was sick and asked her for a ride,\u201d according to the news release.<\/p>\n

The woman refused to give the man a ride and closed her door, but he \u201cpushed his way into the room\u201d and then, \u201cforced her to give him the keys to her vehicle and drove away in the stolen vehicle,\u201d the news release stated.<\/p>\n

The woman notified the San Juan County Sheriff\u2019s Office, and an investigation began. Deputies located the woman\u2019s vehicle, reportedly being driven by Maestas, who claimed he was given the vehicle by \u201cRaider\u201d also known as Soto, 43, of Shoshone, Colorado.<\/p>\n

\u201cRaider was determined to be Abel Soto and was a felon believed to be in possession of a firearm,\u201d the release stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur patrol and detective division worked tirelessly to locate and arrest both suspects who have been preying on our community,\u201d Sheriff Shane Ferrari said, adding both Maestas and Soto have \u201cextensive criminal histories to include crimes of violence spanning over several years.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the investigation, sheriff\u2019s detectives learned that Maestas was the suspect in the home invasion. They found out his address was 1234 Aztec Blvd., so at 2 p.m. Sept. 22 they went to the home to make contact with Maestas.<\/p>\n

Soto initially answered the door, but then closed it and reportedly refused to cooperate with detectives. \u201cBased on the stolen auto investigation and felon in possession of a firearm concern, a search warrant was secured, and additional detectives and deputies responded to surround the residence,\u201d the news release stated.<\/p>\n

Authorities attempted to persuade Soto to exit the home, but he reported \u201cmade threats to fight with police and blow up the mobile home he was in,\u201d according to the release.<\/p>\n

When Soto did exit the home, he was approached by law enforcement and reportedly \u201cbrandished a knife,\u201d Sheriff\u2019s Office officials said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSoto was given many opportunities to peacefully surrender but chose to threaten our deputies\u2019 safety,\u201d Ferrari said. \u201cAfter less lethal options used were ineffective, we had no other choice but to use deadly force.\u201d<\/p>\n

Soto was struck with one bullet and was flown to a Albuquerque hospital for treatment. He survived and was release from the hospital the next day and was booked into the Bernalillo County Jail.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis adds to Soto\u2019s long list of poor life decisions. I want to thank our deputies for putting their safety at risk while safeguarding our community,\u201d Ferrari said.<\/p>\n

Maestas was arrested at the same residence on Oct. 2 and is in the San Juan County Detention Center. Authorities say he \u201cadmitted to entering the elderly victim\u2019s home and obtaining her vehicle by force\u201d and also reportedly told detectives he gave the stolen vehicle to Soto.<\/p>\n

Soto has been charged with a third-degree felony aggravated assault on a peace officer with a deadly weapon.<\/p>\n

The San Juan County Regional Officer Involved Shooting Task Force is investigating the shooting and its findings will be reviewed by the San Juan County District Attorney\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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