{"id":22450,"date":"2025-05-01T16:37:22","date_gmt":"2025-05-01T22:37:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/youtube-personality-jailed-in-farmington-after-alleged-police-skirmish\/"},"modified":"2026-03-30T22:14:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T04:14:12","slug":"youtube-personality-jailed-in-farmington-after-alleged-police-skirmish","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/youtube-personality-jailed-in-farmington-after-alleged-police-skirmish\/","title":{"rendered":"YouTube personality jailed in Farmington after alleged police skirmish"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Independent
Independent reporters were broadcasting live during interview with Tri-City Record. David Edward Albright\/Tri-City Record<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Editor\u2019s note<\/em><\/strong>: This article was updated May 1 to include comments from citizen journalist Justin Chee and to clarify a New Mexico statute concerning identification of alleged victims at a crime scene.<\/em><\/p>\n

A YouTube content creator with the handle of Press ON Unleashed<\/a> was arrested in Farmington after confronting law enforcement officers and reportedly refusing to leave the scene of a sexual assault investigation.<\/p>\n

The man, who was listed in jail for seven days as John Doe, has been identified as David Durant Cook, 47, of Huntsville, Alabama. He was booked into the San Juan County Detention Center April 23 on a count of concealing identity and two counts of misdemeanor resisting or obstructing officers.<\/p>\n

The confrontation with police officers raised ethical and legal questions surrounding citizen journalists who report from the scene of a criminal investigation, a rising issue on social media and in the New Mexico legislature.<\/p>\n

The charges were filed in Farmington Municipal Court and not being handled by the San Juan County District Attorney\u2019s Office, according to Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Decker.<\/p>\n

\"David
David Durant Cook, 47, of Huntsville, Alabama<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Tuesday afternoon, five citizen journalists representing Utah Cop Watch<\/a>, Vigilance Committee<\/a>, Mile High Committee<\/a> and 4Corner FistNtheair <\/a>attempted to visit the man at the detention center. The citizen journalists contend that Cook was jailed illegally. One has called him a hostage.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re here to make sure they\u2019re feeding him,\u201d said Clifford Williams of Vigilance Committee.<\/p>\n

The jail assured the Tri-City Record<\/em> that he was being fed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can confirm that (Mr. Cook) has been offered food and water at all regular meal times. This includes cereal and a drink after the tray has been cleared at the conclusion of meal service,\u201d San Juan County Adult Detention Center Administrator Daniel Webb said Wednesday. Staff will continue to provide meals and have offered \u201cspoon feeding of cereal after each meal service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Webb said \u201cMr. (Cook) has covered his mouth upon attempted spoon feeding,\u201d and he was transported to San Juan Regional Medical Center the Tuesday evening. \u201cHe verbally refused medical treatment and was subsequently returned to the facility.\u201d<\/p>\n

The detention center made \u201cexhaustive efforts to identify\u201d Cook, according to Webb, who said the center wanted \u201d to better assess his medical needs, including any prescription medication he may require,\u201d because \u201cthe well-being of each and every individual is of the utmost importance to our staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Williams stated prior to Cook being identified, that the man is \u201cjust a free American,\u201d who does not have a name, a Social Security number or a birth certificate.<\/p>\n

At issue is the arrest of Cook, which occurred after he and citizen journalist Justin Chee of 4Corner FistNtheair<\/a> in Farmington showed up at the scene of a sexual assault investigation. They reportedly refused to \u201cstep back 20 feet out of the crime scene area\u201d and filmed officers during an interview with the alleged victim of sexual assault.<\/p>\n

New Mexico\u2019s Inspection of Public Records Act ensures that identity of sexual assault victims are not disclosed in public records. However, a video posted on Chee\u2019s YouTube channel clearly shows the victim while she was being interviewed by police. She can be heard describing the alleged sexual assault, raising legal and ethical questions for journalists.<\/p>\n

New Mexico Foundation for Open Government Legal Director Amanda Lavin weighed in on the matter and cited the law.<\/p>\n

New Mexico Statutes \u00a7 14-2-1.2 restricts the disclosure of names and other personal identifiers of victims of sexual offenses in law enforcement records, according to information provided to the Tri-City Record<\/em> from NMFOG.<\/p>\n

In an email Thursday, Chee reiterated his exemption from the law.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe NM state statue 14-2-1.2 is for \u2018Law enforcement records.\u2019 NM state statue 14-2-1.2 is very misinforming in your story you have published about PRESS Harder and myself. This State Statue has nothing to do with Independent journalism such as myself and PRESS Harder (Cook.),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

He also stated that IPRA only applies to law enforcement, and \u201cPRESS Harder and I are definitely not law enforcement. We are 1st Amendment Press. This NM State Statue 14-2-1.2 does not apply to us whatsoever.\u201d<\/p>\n

The act of filming a sexual assault victim raised questions of ethics.<\/p>\n

According to an article by Baylor University Alumni Amber Orand and Sara Stone for the Society of Professional Journalists, \u201cthe first guideline in the code of ethics\u201d is to \u201cseek the truth and report it,\u201d but the second guideline is to \u201cminimize harm.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cItems under that dictum include \u2018avoid pandering to lurid curiosity\u2019 and \u2018be cautious about identifying juvenile suspects or victims of sex crimes,\u2019\u201d Orand and Stone wrote.<\/p>\n

They further stated that \u201cmost important, journalists must closely examine their own motives. Whatever path they choose, they should be guided by professional ethics and never simply by a desire to be first with a detail that will increase ratings or circulation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Videoing at a sexual assault investigation could lead to the victim being identified, which could be a violation of the code of ethics.<\/p>\n

\"Independent
Independent reporters entering San Juan County Adult Detention Center on Tuesday. David Edward Albright\/Tri-City Record<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Farmington Police were called to the sexual assault at 10:36 p.m. April 22 at the Cedar Ridge Apartments in the 300 block of East 20th Street.<\/p>\n

According to the Farmington Police Department incident report, Cook and Chee were at a DWI stop earlier the same day and were listening \u201cto the police scanner\u201d and then filming \u201cofficers on calls for service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cook reportedly was on the grounds of the Cedar Ridge Apartments filming officers, and he reportedly disobeyed officers\u2019 requests to move back while officers attempted to secure the apartment. Inside the apartment, the suspect allegedly barricaded himself with the female victim.<\/p>\n

Chee and Cook stood in the area of the crime scene and refused to move, the report states. Cook reportedly called the officer a \u201cf\u2014ing b\u2014ch,\u201d told him to \u201csuck his testicles\u201d and continued \u201cyelling profanities,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n

At one point, Cook \u201cfell to the ground and pretended to be asleep,\u201d according to the incident report.<\/p>\n

Farmington Police spokeswoman Shanice Gonzales said the \u201cmale repeatedly interfered with the investigation, ignored verbal boundaries, yelled profanities and diverted officers from their duties.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs officers interviewed the rape suspect, outside the apartment, the disruptive male continued to interfere, ultimately resulting in his arrest after refusing to comply,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Police warned Cook that he was possibly obstructing their investigation and their ability to do their job, but Williams said there was no obstruction. He claimed that Cook did move, and argued that \u201canybody can be wherever they want to be in a public setting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lavin said that is not necessarily the case.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile any person has the right to be in a public space and observe law enforcement activity, the First Amendment does not give a person (or journalist) license to obstruct a law enforcement investigation, cross police boundaries at a crime scene, or trespass onto private property,\u201d Lavin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to respect the boundaries of a crime scene whether you are a private citizen or a journalist,\u201d Lavin said.<\/p>\n

The Cedar Ridge Apartments are on private property, owned by Nowak Properties.<\/p>\n

Farmington Municipal Code Sections 18-3-11 and 18-3-12<\/a> refer to trespassing on private property and defines criminal trespass as consisting \u201cof knowingly entering or remaining upon the lands of another knowing that such consent to enter or remain is denied or withdrawn by the owner or occupant thereof.\u201d<\/p>\n

While trespass charges were not filed against Cook, the police report states Cook \u201ccontinued to yell,\u201d and allegedly inserted himself into the investigation when they were attempting to interview the rape suspect.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was constantly maneuvering himself to get closer despite the verbal perimeter, he was yelling obscenities, he was causing those involved to pay more attention to him than the investigating officers, and his actions required officers to spend time dealing with his conduct than the investigation,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n

Doe allegedly told police, \u201cI will talk, did I make myself clear, I will talk all I f\u2014ing want.\u201d<\/p>\n

A community of citizen journalists on Wednesday supported Cook.<\/p>\n

According to YouTube influencer James Freeman<\/a>, it was Cook\u2019s right to be on the scene and speak as a citizen journalist.<\/p>\n

Howard Deaton, of Mile High Community in Denver, said they \u201cdon\u2019t have nothing against good policing. We have everything against bad police.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added the goal of citizen journalists is to make sure the police are \u201creal and right.\u201d<\/p>\n

The New Mexico State Legislature looked at changing the definition of journalist to include social media influencers and hobbyist bloggers, which would include Cook, in 2025 House Bill 153.<\/p>\n

The bill defined a journalist as \u201ca person who regularly gathers, prepares, collects, photographs, records, writes, edits, reports, investigates or publishes news or information that concerns local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest for dissemination to the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

The bill failed, and Senate Minority Leader Bill Sharer said that might be a good thing.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears that this bill was aimed at protecting the bloggers and YouTube influencers probably at the detriment of citizens,\u201d Sharer said.<\/p>\n

\"Independent
Independent reporters conducting and broadcasting during their wellness check of John Doe. David Edward Albright\/Tri-City Record<\/span>cca<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Williams and another social media influencer, Jose Ramirez-Medina of Utah Cop Watch<\/a> visited the Tri-City Record<\/em> on Tuesday to share Doe\u2019s story.<\/p>\n

They stated their intentions during a live feed of Utah Cop Watch, in which Williams said, \u201cThey think we\u2019re going to beg them to do the story.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to beg them,\u201d Ramirez-Medina said.<\/p>\n

Then, Ramirez-Medina said Four Corners (Justin Chee of 4Corner FistNtheair) \u201cseems to talk good about them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially the reporter he\u2019s worked with in the past with David (Albright),\u201d Williams added.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully they are not like every single reporter that likes to twist the words,\u201d Ramirez-Medina said.<\/p>\n

David Albright on Wednesday denied working with them.<\/p>\n

Williams stated that he hoped \u201cthe editors will pick up the story too. If they don\u2019t, we\u2019ll do the story ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Freeman told his version of the story in an April 29 feed, saying Cook \u201cwas kidnapped\u201d and is being \u201cheld hostage\u201d by Farmington Police, whom he called \u201cviolent extremists.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams stated that Cook\u2019s charges do not make sense, because resisting or obstructing has \u201cto be a physical act,\u201d and \u201che wasn\u2019t fleeing. He wasn\u2019t trying to evade. He stood there when the officer said \u2018You are going to be under arrest.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

However, upon arrest, Cook refused to speak or move and made the officers \u201cmanipulate his body to get him in and out of the patrol unit,\u201d according to the police report.<\/p>\n

He was taken to San Juan Regional Medical Center \u201cfor a medical clearance,\u201d before being booked into the detention center, where he was found to have two glass marijuana pipes in his possession, the report states.<\/p>\n

Williams believes Cook\u2019s legal rights are being violated.<\/p>\n

\u201cFarmington, you need to know you could be sued \u2013 a week in jail under a false arrest \u2013 good luck with that,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n

Ramirez-Medina said Farmington Police are \u201ccry babies with guns and badges,\u201d and stated this case will make for a good lawsuit because it is his belief that Doe is being held illegally.<\/p>\n

San Juan County strongly disagreed.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are holding John Doe (Cook) under a legitimate court order,\u201d said San Juan County spokesman Devin Neeley on Tuesday, when the booking process had not been completed, because he had not been identified. \u201cWe hold solely, completely and totally under legitimate court orders.\u201d<\/p>\n

Cook is still being held in the San Juan County Detention Center, and the booking process has been completed, according to Neeley.<\/p>\n

However, when Ramirez-Medina was at the jail he wanted to know if Cook was alive, being fed and if there was a bond.<\/p>\n

He also wanted to visit Cook, but according to Webb the detention center \u201cdoes not offer in-person visitation,\u201d so Ramirez-Medina and those with him \u201cwere referred to the online visitation process.\u201d<\/p>\n

David Edward Albright of the Tri-City Record contributed to this report.<\/em><\/p>\n

This article was updated at 9:46 p.m. April 30 to include the name, David Durant Cook, which is that of the man previously referred to as John Doe.<\/em><\/p>\n

This article was updated May 1 to include a statement from Justin Chee, 4Corner FistNtheair regarding the New Mexico State Statutes referred to in the story. <\/em>A paragraph citing New Mexico Statutes Section 30-37A-1 was because it applies to sensitive images, which are defined in the statute as images that would include nudity. It did not apply in this case, because the alleged victim was clothed. Another paragraph citing New Mexico Statutes \u00a7 14-2-1.2 was edited to report that statute applies only to law enforcement records.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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