Cottonwood Counselor Arrested After Stolen Loaded Gun, Meth Found in Office

A certified peer support counselor at Cottonwood Clinical Services, Inc., was arrested after law enforcement found a stolen, loaded handgun and methamphetamine in his office, a development that could deepen safety concerns for clients and staff in San Juan County’s behavioral health system.

Farmington police arrested 61-year-old Darrel Turner on Jan. 18 and booked him into the San Juan County Detention Center on three felony counts: possession of a firearm by a felon (third-degree), receiving stolen property (fourth-degree) and possession of a controlled substance (fourth-degree). Officers located the weapon at 3:09 p.m. that day during a search of Turner’s office. The gun was identified as a black Taurus G3C 9 mm with an 18-round extended magazine and was found in a nylon holster. Its serial number matched a firearm reported stolen from a Farmington residence on Sept. 13, 2023.

The stolen-gun case previously involved an identified suspect, Andres Gallegos, who entered a repeat-offender plea on a firearm charge March 4, 2025. Court records and police reports state it remains unclear how Turner obtained the stolen weapon.

The incident began when Cottonwood Clinical Services owner Kim Dutremaine contacted Farmington police, saying Turner was “exhibiting strange behavior” and had a confrontation with a client. Dutremaine photographed a firearm she found in a filing cabinet in Turner’s office. Turner initially consented to a search of the office but then withdrew consent, prompting officers to obtain a warrant.

During booking at the detention center, staff found four small plastic baggies containing a crystalline substance on Turner. Field tests returned positive for methamphetamine; one bag weighed roughly 14 grams and another 0.7 grams. Magistrate Judge Erich Cole found probable cause on Jan. 20, and Turner was released on his own recognizance with a preliminary exam scheduled for Jan. 28, 2026.

The arrest spotlights several local public health and safety issues. Peer support counselors provide frontline assistance to people in recovery and to clients with complex behavioral health needs. When a staff member is implicated in possession of firearms or illegal drugs, client trust and perceptions of safety can erode quickly, potentially disrupting care continuity and deterring people from seeking services. The presence of methamphetamine also underscores ongoing substance use challenges in the county.

For providers and policymakers, the case raises questions about hiring practices, ongoing workplace supervision, and protocols for reporting concerning staff behavior. Cottonwood Clinical Services and county behavioral health partners will likely face decisions about internal reviews, client notifications and steps to reinforce safety while maintaining access to care for people in recovery.

The legal process will determine criminal accountability in Turner’s case, but the broader work for San Juan County is institutional: safeguarding clients and staff, strengthening oversight for peer support roles, and addressing the substance use needs that ripple through Farmington’s recovery community. Residents can expect updates as the preliminary exam proceeds and local providers reassess policies to restore trust and safety.