Albuquerque Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges

Defendant Prosecuted as Part of “Worst of the Worst” Anti-Violence Initiative

ALBUQUERQUE – Lawrence Anthony Martinez, 39, of Albuquerque, N.M., pleaded guilty today in federal court to methamphetamine trafficking charges. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Martinez will be sentenced to 72 months in prison followed by a term of supervised release to be determined by the court.

Martinez was arrested on April 7, 2014, on a criminal complaint charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in Bernalillo County, N.M., on Jan. 20, 2014. According to the complaint, Martinez was arrested by Albuquerque Police Department (APD) officers on Jan. 20, 2014, after the officers found Martinez in possession of a pistol and methamphetamine during a child welfare check at his residence. Martinez subsequently was indicted on April 9, 2014, and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, and using and carrying a firearm in relation to a drug trafficking crime. At the time, Martinez was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because he previously had been convicted of numerous felony offenses, including possession of a controlled substance, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing great bodily harm, burglary, stealing a motor vehicle, receiving or transferring a stolen vehicle, larceny, and aggravated fleeing a law enforcement officer.

During today’s proceedings, Martinez pled guilty to Count 2 of the indictment and admitted possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute it for monetary gain on Jan. 20, 2014, in Albuquerque.

Martinez has been in custody since his arrest. He remains detained pending his sentencing hearing, which has yet to be scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Albuquerque office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and APD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jon K. Stanford is prosecuting this case.

This case is being prosecuted as part of a federal anti-violence initiative that targets “the worst of the worst” offenders for federal prosecution. Under this initiative, the U.S. Attorney’s Office and federal law enforcement agencies work with New Mexico’s District Attorneys and state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to target violent or repeat offenders for federal prosecution with the goal of removing repeat offenders from communities in New Mexico for as long as possible.