Trial begins against former Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy accused of pulling gun on two people

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Opening statements in the trial against former Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Borrecco took place on Monday. Borrecco is accused of being drunk and pulling a gun on two men at a Circle K on Osuna while off-duty in January 2024.

During the trial, state prosecutors claimed Borrecco abused his power and committed assault when he pulled out his gun on the two men who were waiting for a friend to get off work at the gas station. “You’re going to hear testimony that Michael Borrecco, BCSO personnel, but he was off-duty at the time, was trying to do right by the city. According to those lapel cam videos, you’re going to hear statements about this. But you’re not going to see anything, hear anything to corroborate that though,” said Prosecutor Joshua Hasyniec.

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Borrecco’s lawyers said their client is a hero and was trying to protect the city. “He saw that this problem was going to turn into something different. So, off-duty or not, he swore an oath to the community in which he protects: Albuquerque, Bernalillo, everyone. He still took action because that’s what he does because he’s part of the protectors,” said Defense Attorney Les M. Romaine.

The defense went on to claim that the two victims made the story up, that they had a bias against law enforcement due to a previous interaction with officials, and they should be the ones on trial.

Borrecco is facing one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and negligent use of a deadly weapon while intoxicated. If found guilty, he’s facing up to a one-year-and-a-half in prison.

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