Father and Son Indicted for String of Robberies Including Garden Oaks Post Office

HOUSTON – Two men have been charged in a seven-count indictment for their roles in a spree of Houston-area robberies committed within the span of one week in January 2016, announced U.S. Attorney Kenneth Magidson.

Joe Robert Martinez, 40, of Houston, and his son, Joe Robert Martinez, 21, of Hockley, were indicted March 3, 2016. The elder Martinez was already in custody, but the son was arrested today. Both are expected in federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. 

Both are accused of conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, aiding and abetting interference with commerce by robbery and aiding and abetting the use of a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence. 

The elder Martinez was previously charged by complaint for the Jan. 28, 2016, armed robbery of the Garden Oaks Post Office located at 3816 North Shepherd in Houston. During the course of the investigation, law enforcement discovered additional robberies allegedly involving him and his son. Specifically, both defendants have been charged with the armed robberies of Taqueria Launica #3 at 10900 Beechnut on Jan. 21, 2016, and Timewise Foodstores #107 at 3316 Crosstimbers on Jan. 26, 2016. The elder Martinez is the only defendant charged in the Garden Oaks post office robbery.

The indictment alleges the father and son interfered with interstate commerce by robbery at each of these business locations. As part of the conspiracy, one or more co-conspirators would enter the store, display a firearm and take by threat of force cash, cigarettes and personal property of employees. 

For the charges of conspiracy and interference with commerce by robbery, both face up to 20 years in prison. If convicted of brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence they also face a minimum of seven years which must be served consecutively. If convicted of any additional firearms charges, they would also face another mandatory consecutive sentence of 25 years in prison.

The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, in conjunction with the Houston Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joe Porto and Heather Winter are prosecuting the case.  

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence.
A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.