Former Ruidoso officer takes plea in fake break-in case

RUIDOSO, N.M. (KRQE) – A Ruidoso police officer who faked a break-in at his home has taken a plea deal and if he behaves himself, he could get a fresh start.

Matthew Amezquita, then a rookie police officer in Ruidoso, called his own department's dispatch in July. The 21-year-old said there's been a break-in at his apartment so his colleagues arrive to investigate but it turns out nothing is missing, and what they find, doesn't match up with the young officer's story.

Detective: "You know how long I've been doing this?" Amezquita: "Many years, sir." Detective: "Twenty-three. So I'm pretty good about reading situations. You know what I mean?"

All this happened after his training officer sent him home from work because he had not shaved which is against policy. He told the detective on scene that he arrived home to find he'd locked his keys in the apartment, so he kicked in his own door.

Detective: "So I'm assuming maybe you thought what? That you're going to pay for the door because you kicked it or what? Amezquita: "I knew that, uh." Detective: "Yeah. I'm going to take this from you. Okay."

Amezquita lost his job And was brought up on a misdemeanor charge of making a false report. On Thursday, he pled no-contest in exchange for a deferred sentence, which means if he follows the court's rules and stays out of trouble for a year, he could have the charge dismissed. His defense attorney told the court that Amezquita made a big mistake, but he paid for it by losing his career and he's looking forward to getting on with his life. He will also have to make a $100 donation to Lincoln County Crime Stoppers.