Former Dona Ana County Deputy Sheriff Charged with Federal Civil … – Department of Justice

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. Alexander M.M. Uballez, United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico, and Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Albuquerque Field Office, announced today that Michael Andrew Martinez has been arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with deprivation of rights under color of law and obstruction of justice. Martinez, 33, of Las Cruces, New Mexico, will appear in federal court for an initial appearance today.

According to the criminal complaint, on or about April 30, 2023, Michael Andrew Martinez, while working in his official capacity as an officer with the Doa Ana Sheriffs Office (DASO), allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted the victim, Jane Doe, thereby depriving Jane Doe of her Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable searches and seizures. Martinez allegedly then obstructed justice by attempting to destroy evidence related to his kidnapping and sexual assault of the victim.

A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted on the current charges, Martinez faces up to life imprisonment.

The Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Doa Ana Sheriffs Office and the New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marisa Ong and Matilda McCarthy Villalobos are prosecuting the case.

In addition to the Doa Ana Sheriffs Office, Martinez was previously employed by the New Mexico State Police and Hatch Police Department. If you have reason to believe you or someone you know may be a victim of Martinez, or if you have information about this ongoing investigation, please call the FBI at (505) 889-1300 or submit their tips online at tips.fbi.gov.

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Former Dona Ana County Deputy Sheriff Charged with Federal Civil ... - Department of Justice