Kirtland man accused of sexual assault, battery

• Skywater is facing five charges in his new criminal case.
• He is accused of punching and sexual assaulting a woman at a house in the Kirtland area.
• A hearing to hold Skywater without bond is set for Monday afternoon.

FARMINGTON — A Kirtland man with multiple battery convictions is accused of beating and sexually assaulting a woman.

Alexander Skywater, 32, is accused of five charges, including criminal sexual penetration in the third degree and aggravated battery against a household member (great bodily harm), according to court records.

He was charged on Oct. 26 in Aztec Magistrate Court and arrested on Oct. 27, according to court documents.

The victim spoke to a detective for the San Juan County Sheriff's Office on Oct. 25 about Skywater allegedly beating and sexually assaulting her during the night of Oct. 24-25 at a home in the Kirtland area, according to the arrest warrant affidavit.

The detective described the victim's injuries in the affidavit, citing a swollen left eye and a split lower lip. Her neck also appeared to be red, the document states.

The victim spoke softly to the detective, telling him her neck was tender and she had been strangled by Skywater, according to court documents.

While talking to the detective, the victim stated Skywater had punched her several times and strangled her.

She added Skywater held her down and "had sex with her" and would strike her if she said no, according to court documents.

The victim's 11-year-old daughter also spoke to police.

She told the detective she witnessed Skywater "push, slap and kick her mother until 'blood started to come from her mouth,'" according to court documents.

The San Juan County District Attorney's Office has filed an expedited motion for pretrial detention to hold Skywater without bond. A hearing is set for 4 p.m. Monday in Aztec District Court.

The motion cites Skywater's convictions for acts of violence including three misdemeanor counts of battery on a household member and a felony count of battery of a peace officer.

It also states Skywater has violated his probation five times.

Skywater was being held without bond at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center as of Friday afternoon. His preliminary hearing is set for 10 a.m. Thursday in Aztec Magistrate Court.

Joshua Kellogg covers crime, courts and social issues for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4627 or via email at jkellogg@daily-times.com.