Five charged with racketeering, gun theft

FARMINGTON — The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office has arrested five suspects on suspicion of being involved in a racketeering ring.

Charges include methamphetamine trafficking, extortion and the theft of nearly 80 firearms.

Stephen Dye, Wiatt Jones, Kyle McDonald, Robert Walker and John Williams are accused of a variety of charges, including a second-degree felony count of racketeering, according to a recent Sheriff’s Office news release .

Dye, McDonald and Jones were charged in the alleged theft of 78 firearms, including rifles and handguns, from a residence east of Bloomfield in January, according to court documents.

Steve Murphy, Jones’ attorney, said there is absolutely no evidence of any racketeering and any larceny of any firearm.