Albuquerque Man Sentenced to Twelve Years for Violating Federal Narcotics and Firearms Laws

ALBUQUERQUE – Jovan Martinez, 29, of Albuquerque, N.M., was sentenced today in federal court to 144 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for his methamphetamine trafficking and firearms conviction.  The sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Damon P. Martinez.

Martinez, who has four prior convictions for residential burglary, was prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution.  Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.  Because New Mexico’s violent crime rates, on a per capita basis, are amongst the highest in the nation, New Mexico’s law enforcement community is collaborating to target repeat offenders from counties with the highest violent crime rates, including Bernalillo County, under this initiative.

Martinez was charged in a criminal complaint filed on June 17, 2014, with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  According to the complaint, Martinez was arrested on June 16, 2015, by the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) for stealing a bait vehicle.  At the time of his arrest, Martinez was in possession of a revolver and ammunition.

Martinez was indicted on July 10, 2014, and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition on June 16, 2014, in Bernalillo County, N.M.  Martinez was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of residential burglary twice in 2007 and twice in 2008. 

On May 15, 2015, Martinez pled guilty to a two-count felony information charging him with distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.  In entering the guilty plea, Martinez admitted that on June 16, 2014, he was in possession of a firearm and ammunition.  He further admitted that he purchased the firearm and ammunition for $80.00 and some methamphetamine.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and APD.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Presiliano A. Torrez prosecuted the case.