Farmington Teen Charged in Assault on Albuquerque Jail Guard

Three 18-year-olds accused of attacking officer at youth detention center

Apr. 13, 2026 at 11:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged jail cell door lock, the metal surface reflecting the harsh light of the camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the violent assault that took place at the youth detention center.The violent attack on a corrections officer at a juvenile detention center exposes the dangers of housing young adult offenders alongside minors.Farmington Today

A Farmington teenager has been charged with aggravated battery on a peace officer after allegedly participating in an assault on a guard at the Youth Development Diagnostic Center in Albuquerque. The teen, Justice Sanchez, was being held at the juvenile facility along with two other 18-year-olds, Adrian Brown and Ezekiel Ulibarri, who were also accused of involvement in the attack that seriously injured the officer.

Why it matters

The incident highlights concerns about housing young adult offenders alongside much younger teens in the same detention facilities, which can create dangerous situations for both staff and detainees. Prosecutors are seeking to keep the three defendants in adult facilities as their cases proceed.

The details

According to the Bernalillo County District Attorney's Office, Sanchez, Brown, and Ulibarri were all being held at the Youth Development Diagnostic Center for crimes they allegedly committed as minors. After turning 18, they were transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center, where the assault on the corrections officer took place. The officer was said to have been seriously injured in the attack.

  • The incident occurred at the Youth Development Diagnostic Center in Albuquerque.
  • Sanchez, Brown, and Ulibarri were all 18 years old at the time of the alleged assault.

The players

Justice Sanchez

An 18-year-old from Farmington who was being held at the Youth Development Diagnostic Center and is accused of participating in the assault on the jail guard.

Adrian Brown

An 18-year-old from Albuquerque who was being held at the Youth Development Diagnostic Center and is accused of participating in the assault on the jail guard.

Ezekiel Ulibarri

An 18-year-old from Albuquerque who was being held at the Youth Development Diagnostic Center and is accused of participating in the assault on the jail guard.

Sam Bregman

The Bernalillo County District Attorney, who stated that 18-year-olds should not be housed in the same facility as much younger teens, as it creates a dangerous environment.

Christopher Sturleson

The victim of a murder that Adrian Brown is being held on an open count for.

Angelo Tafoya

The victim of a murder that Ezekiel Ulibarri is being held on an open count for.

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What they’re saying

“Eighteen-year-olds are legally adults and should not be housed in the same facility as much younger teens. This creates a dangerous environment and poses a serious threat not only to correctional officers, but also to younger detainees.”

— Sam Bregman, Bernalillo County District Attorney

What’s next

Prosecutors said they will seek pretrial detention to keep the defendants in an adult facility as their cases proceed.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges of managing juvenile and young adult offenders in the criminal justice system, and the need to ensure the safety of both staff and detainees in detention facilities.