Farmington man accused of striking men in face with rock

• Matthew Billy, 21, has been charged with a third-degree felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
• He is accused of using a rock to strike two men in the face along with being in possession of a pipe used for marijuana.
• The San Juan County District Attorney's Office filed a motion to hold Billy without bond pending trial.

FARMINGTON — A Farmington man is facing charges for allegedly striking two men in the face with a rock.

Matthew Billy, 21, has been charged with a third-degree felony count of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon along with a misdemeanor count of use or possession of drug paraphernalia and a petty misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, according to court records.

He is accused of using a rock to strike two men in the face, along with being in possession of a pipe used for marijuana, according to the probable cause statement.

Billy was being held without bond at the San Juan County Adult Detention Center Tuesday and did not have legal representation.

The San Juan County District Attorney's Office filed a motion to hold Billy without bond pending trial. A hearing has been set for 9 a.m. on April 11 in Aztec District Court.

Officers for the Farmington Police Department were dispatched around 8:19 p.m. Friday to the area of the Farmington location of Goodwill Industries of New Mexico at 1861 N. Hutton Ave. on reports of people fighting.

Once officers were on the scene, they detained and handcuffed three men. One of the victims was observed by police with blood coming from his face and head.

Billy first told police he had problems with one of the victims while he was trying to get pizza.

He then changed his story and stated he had issues with one of the victims because the man was his mother's boyfriend, according to court documents. Billy added they got into an argument and started fighting.

Both victims told police Bill approached them, and grabbed a rock and struck one of them in the face with the rock, according to court documents.

The second victim was allegedly struck by Billy as he tried to protect the first victim.

While being searched, an officer allegedly found a purple pipe used for marijuana in a pocket of Billy's pants, according to the probable cause statement.

Billy's preliminary hearing is set for the morning of April 11 in Farmington 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.