GRAND JUNCTION MAN SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON FOR BEING AN ARMED CAREER CRIMINAL
DENVER – Sereino Joe Martinez, age 55, of Grand Junction, Colorado, was sentenced today by U.S. District Court Judge Walker D. Miller to serve 180 months (15 years) in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm, Acting U.S. Attorney David Gaouette and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase announced. Judge Miller found that Martinez had at least three prior violent felony convictions, including a second degree murder conviction in Nevada, which resulted in a finding that the defendant was an Armed Career Criminal, enhancing the prison sentence. Following his 15 year sentence, Martinez will spend 3 years on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to a victims of crime fund administered by the court. Martinez appeared in custody, and was remanded.
Sereino Joe Martinez was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on May 23, 2007. He pled guilty before Judge Miller on December 11, 2008. He was sentenced by Judge Miller today, July 15, 2009.
According to the stipulated facts outlined in the defendant’s plea agreement, on March 13, 2007, Martinez was found laying in front of a residence in Grand Junction, Colorado. A 9mm Hi-Point Model C9 handgun was found in close proximity to him. The firearm was loaded, and additional ammunition was found in the defendant’s pant pockets. The defendant had a number of prior criminal convictions, including two felony menacing convictions in Mesa County.
“Thanks to the Grand Junction Police Department and the ATF, a felon with a violent criminal history has been removed from our streets,” said Acting U.S. Attorney David Gaouette.
“ATF, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Grand Junction Police Department are committed to work in partnership to keep the worst of the worst criminals off the streets of Grand Junction,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase.
This case was investigated by the Grand Junction Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
Martinez was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Wyatt Angelo and Dondi Osborne.
####
