Española Man Pleads Guilty to String of Armed Robberies that Led to Shooting Death

ALBUQUERQUE – An Española man pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a 2022 crime spree that left one person dead.

According to court documents, on August 9, 2022, Ricky Eddie Martinez, Jr., 34, robbed the Dandy Burger restaurant, taking over $100. The next day, Martinez robbed a Shell gas station and took $352. On August 11, 2022, Martinez robbed a Walgreens, firing his weapon toward liquor cabinets when the cashier could not open the register, then forcibly took the register and its contents.

On August 16, 2022, Martinez attempted to rob a Blake's Lotaburger, jumped over the counter, struggled with cashier John Doe 2, and shot and killed him. Martinez also struck John Doe 3, another employee and brother of John Doe 2, with his firearm and shot at him but missed. As a previously convicted felon, Martinez is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

Martinez pleaded guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery, using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and, as part of a global plea agreement with the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, also agreed to plead guilty in state court to offenses related to the murder of John Doe 2 and other crimes against John Doe 3.

Additional robberies committed during the crime spree, including incidents at a Chevron Gas Station, 420 Emporia Smoke Shop, Chalupp's Pizza, Family Dollar, and Dollar General, were not charged federally but are being considered for restitution.

At sentencing, Martinez faces not less than 10 years and up to life in prison on the federal charges.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department, Taos Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Brittany DuChaussee are prosecuting the case.

This press release was posted November 13, after the end of the federal government shutdown.