A Lancaster, Texas, Man, Javier Martinez, 24, appeared Tuesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge David L. Horan and pleaded guilty to several felony offenses related to his involvement in an attempted kidnapping and then subsequently firing numerous shots at an officer with the Ennis Police Department during a high-speed pursuit, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.
Specifically, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to commit kidnapping; possession with intent to distribute cocaine; possession with intent to distribute heroin; using, carrying, and brandishing a firearm during or in relation to a crime of violence; and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
While Martinez faces a statutory maximum sentence of life in federal prison and a $2.75 million fine, if the Court accepts the plea agreement between the government and the defendant, Martinez should receive a total sentence of 40 years in federal prison.
Sentencing is set for March 2, 2017, before U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle.
According to documents filed in the case, on July 12, 2016, Martinez, along with co-defendants Jose Cardenas Aguirre, 25, and Melissa Trevino, 23, planned to kidnap another individual because of an unpaid drug debt involving cocaine.
During the planned kidnapping, Martinez and Aguirre wore ballistic vests and black camouflage clothing. The kidnapping was unsuccessful, and as Martinez, Aguirre, and Trevino fled the scene, they were engaged in a high-speed chase with officers with the Ennis Police Department.
During this pursuit, Martinez, using an AR-156 style rifle, fired numerous shots at a police officer. Martinez led, supervised, and organized this planned kidnapping.
A trial date of December 5, 2016, has been set for defendants Aguirre and Trevino. Three other defendants charged in the case have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Between December 2015, and continuing to July 2016, Martinez conspired to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and heroin. On February 5, 2016, Martinez possessed a firearm in furtherance of these drug trafficking crimes.
In addition, according to the factual resume, on January 7, 2016, Martinez sold another individual one ounce of heroin and offered to sell that same individual one kilogram of heroin for $40,000.
During that same conversation, Martinez offered to sell the same individual an AK-47 for $7,000 and an AR-15 rifle for $1,500. On April 11, 2016, Martinez sold three ounces of heroin and two AR-15’s to another individual; these drug and gun sales took place at his residence.
The case was investigated by the Ennis Police Department and the FBI’s Violent Gang Taskforce. Assistant U.S. Attorney P.J. Meitl is in charge of the prosecution.
