Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ALBUQUERQUE – A Isleta Village man was charged by criminal complaint with assault with a dangerous weapon under the major crimes act.
Vincent Jerome Martinez, 18, an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Isleta, appeared before a federal judge today and pled guilty to a criminal information charging him with to assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to court documents, on December 14, 2023, Isleta Pueblo officers responded to a report of shots fired in a residential area. When they arrived on scene, Officers observed Martinez, dressed in black clothing, running behind a shed.
After taking Martinez into custody, a search incident to the arrest revealed three 12-gauge shotgun rounds in Martinez’s pocket and a modified shotgun with an obliterated serial number hidden under a railroad tie near the shed. The shotgun had one spent shell in the ejection port and one live round in the chamber. Officers also found two additional spent shotgun casings nearby.
According to the victim, Martinez came out of a residence shortly after the victim arrived to provide transportation and pointed a shotgun at the victim while threatening to kill him. Martinez then fired the shotgun in the air, causing the victim to drive away. As the victim drove away in his vehicle, Martinez fired several rounds at the victim before fleeing from the scene to hide behind a nearby shed where he was later arrested.
At sentencing, Martinez faces up to 10 years in prison. He will remain in custody pending sentencing, which has not been scheduled.
U.S. Attorney Alexander M.M. Uballez made the announcement today.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs investigated this case with assistance from the Isleta Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is prosecuting the case.
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