ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (KRQE) – A New Mexico firefighter arrested for DWI is now threatening to sue the Sheriff’s Workplace over the scenario. He claims his rights had been violated. However, did he cross the road as soon as the cuffs got here off?
KRQE Investigates
KRQE Information 13 obtained video footage displaying what the battle is about. “I hope your lapel digital camera’s f*** rolling, mom f*** all you guys! I ain’t apprehensive about it,” Tyler Bass shouted from an Otero County Sheriff’s Workplace holding cell after his DWI arrest in December 2020. Bass is an Alamogordo firefighter.
“What’s up n****. I did this s*** boy!” Bass is heard shouting at Otero County Deputy Carlos De La Cruz, who had simply arrested him for DWI. “It’s not what you already know, it’s who you already know, mom f***,” Bass added.
Footage from two Otero County Sheriff’s deputies obtained by KRQE Information 13 reveals what led as much as these moments within the holding cell, and what led to Bass’ arrest. Sprint digital camera video from Deputy Carlos De La Cruz reveals the deputy pulling over a truck and trailer round 3:30 a.m. in December. Bass, 27, was behind the wheel of the pickup.
“I noticed the aforementioned car swerve into the within southbound lane and readjust into the unique lane of journey,” the deputy wrote in his report. “NOTE: the flatbed trailer didn’t have functioning brake lamps and/or security lamps.”
“The way you doing, bud?” Deputy De La Cruz stated initially of the site visitors cease. “Good, and your self?” Bass replied.
“Good, good, Deputy De La Cruz, Otero County Sheriff’s Workplace. The rationale I pulled you over is that your trailer doesn’t have any lamps on it,” stated the deputy.
“It doesn’t? I’ve the lights on,” Bass replied, and opened the driver-side door to attempt to step out. “Have a seat,” Deputy De La Cruz instructs him.
Bass requested to verify his trailer’s brake lights, however the deputy wished to know if he’d been ingesting.”You been ingesting tonight, man?” Deputy De La Cruz requested. “No, I’ve not,” stated Bass. “When you look proper now, it’s linked to the truck, it ought to be linked.”
The deputy checked Bass’ ID and plates. Lapel digital camera footage reveals De La Cruz inform one other deputy on scene, “I can’t inform if he’s been ingesting or not, dude.”
The second deputy on scene chatted briefly with Bass’ passenger. “We had been driving across the Polaris,” Bass’ passenger stated.
“Let me ask you a query,” De La Cruz advised Bass. “Do I’ve the chance to verify my trailer and ensure?” Bass replied. “You will get the chance after I’m achieved talking,” stated the deputy. “Matter of truth, step out for me actual fast,” De La Cruz added.
At that time, the deputy advised Bass he seen him swerving, and knowledgeable him he was going to manage a subject sobriety check. “We’re about to conduct some subject sobriety assessments, Mr. Bass,” stated the deputy. “The rationale I’m is since you swerved on the center of the freeway close to mile marker 73. Then you definately slammed in your brakes, you then turned on Canine Ranch.”
“So the rationale why you pulled me over,” Bass pointed to his trailer’s brake lights. “And I additionally pulled you over due to your hind lights, sure sir,” stated the deputy.
“Go forward and stand proper right here together with your toes collectively, palms to your aspect,” De La Cruz instructed. “How a lot did you need to drink tonight?”
“I haven’t not had none,” Bass replied. “You haven’t what?” De La Cruz requested. “I haven’t had not none,” Bass stated.
The sobriety check started, and that’s when Bass claimed to know the deputy. “Would you like your different officer over right here?” Bass stated. “Clearly, as a result of now we have a…”
Bass turned to the opposite deputy on scene, “So actual fast, he used to f** my woman, so now we have an altercation, so I might respect it when you would…” Bass stated. “Mr. Bass,” De La Cruz stated.
“Watch my eyes and every little thing,” Bass requested the opposite deputy. He requested the opposite deputy to look at the sector sobriety check as Bass and De La Cruz misplaced endurance with one another.
At one level, De La Cruz was explaining a subject sobriety check, and appeared pissed off when Bass tried to start the check earlier than he was instructed to take action.
“You’re gonna take a collection of 9 steps, heel to toe,” De La Cruz instructed. “One -” Bass started. “Not but, I didn’t let you know to start out,” stated De La Cruz.
Bass began complaining in regards to the chilly climate and stated the assessments had been taking a very long time. That’s when issues took a flip.
“Exhibit on this line for me as a result of it’s f**** I’m shivering too,” stated Bass. “Go forward and switch round for me,” stated De La Cruz.
At that time, De La Cruz positioned Bass underneath arrest for DWI, earlier than finishing the sector sobriety assessments. “Let me do the check,” Bass stated. De La Cruz knowledgeable Bass he was underneath arrest for DWI and was not complying with directions. “How a lot did you need to drink tonight man? You reek of alcohol,” De La Cruz advised Bass.
The deputy requested Bass’ passenger if Bass had been ingesting that evening. The passenger replied, “I do know he had one for certain.”
Deputy De La Cruz requested if Bass would take a breathalyzer check. “Okay, okay, I don’t agree. Go forward and shut the door and I’ll have a proper to the legal professional,” stated Bass.
KRQE Information 13 known as the Otero County Sheriff’s Workplace and requested if Deputy De La Cruz did certainly know Bass. Information 13 was advised a preliminary inquiry confirmed the deputy didn’t know Bass beforehand, and the Sheriff’s Workplace wouldn’t remark additional on account of pending litigation.
In February, the District Lawyer’s Workplace dismissed Bass’ DWI case, “In the most effective curiosity of justice.” Bass is now threatening to sue over the arrest.
The district legal professional’s workplace advised Information 13 Bass’ case was dismissed on account of an absence of proof. With out a accomplished subject sobriety check or outcomes from a breathalyzer, prosecutors stated the workplace didn’t have a lot of a case to pursue costs.
Bass’ legal professional filed a tort declare with Otero County, claiming there was no possible trigger for his cease or arrest.
Bass joined the Alamogordo Fireplace Division in Could 2018. In response to his worker file, it doesn’t seem Bass was disciplined for the most recent arrest. The Alamogordo Fireplace Division referred inquires from KRQE to their metropolis legal professional, who stated they received’t touch upon personnel issues.
Bass declined to remark for this report. His legal professional, Cammie Nichols, advised Information 13 Bass needs all this behind him. She despatched the next written assertion:
“Tyler Bass and Carlos de la Cruz completely knew each other, as a result of de la Cruz had been in a relationship with Tyler’s fiancée, a relationship de la Cruz was attempting to rekindle. Because of this, Tyler didn’t belief de la Cruz or his motives for the cease.”
Cammie Nichols, Tyler Bass’ Lawyer
Bass continues to be employed with the Metropolis of Alamogordo. De La Cruz continues to be an Otero County deputy.
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