Police officer charged with domestic violence

RIO RANCHO, N.M. (KRQE) - A 10-year veteran of the Rio Rancho Police Department is on leave and facing felony charges after he allegedly held his girlfriend at gunpoint.

Officer Robert Rosales, 38, was arrested just after 3 a.m. Monday.

Police received a 911 call from Rosales's home, and dispatchers said they could hear a woman telling a man to put a gun down. The caller then hung up.

When officers got to the home the woman told them she and Rosales got into a fight and he grabbed his department issued Glock and pointed it at her for about 10 minutes saying she wasn't going to leave until they settled the argument.

A criminal complaint alleges when Rosales found out she had called 911, he pointed the gun at his own head.

Investigators say when they arrived Rosales was in bed and acted confused about why they were there.

The also say he was drunk and admitted to drinking a couple of beers.

Police also noticed a bullet casing on the floor next to his bed and say Rosales tried to kick it under the bed so they wouldn't find it.

"It's the belief of the officers on the scene that he was attempting to hide an unfired bullet casing under his bed in attempt to try and change the evidence," said Rio Rancho Police Sgt. Nicholas Onken.

Rosales is facing charges of aggravated assault on a household member, false imprisonment, tampering with evidence and negligent use of a deadly weapon. He posted his $5,000 bond Monday afternoon and is out of jail.

He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation.

The department said he is a patrol office who has had a clean record with until now.