Española Man Sentenced for String of Armed Robberies that Led to Murder

ALBUQUERQUE - An Española man was sentenced to 40 years in prison for a 2022 crime spree that left one person dead.

There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents, on August 9, 2022, Ricky Eddie Martinez, Jr., 35, entered the Dandy Burger restaurant in Española, brandished a revolver, and robbed an employee of approximately $160. The following day, Martinez robbed a Shell gas station in Española after displaying a firearm and demanding money from the cashier, taking $352.

On August 11, 2022, Martinez robbed a Walgreens in Española. After the cashier was unable to open the register, Martinez became increasingly aggressive, firing a round into a liquor display and wall near the employee before forcibly removing a cash register drawer and fleeing. The employee suffered burns from the close-range gunshot.

On August 16, 2022, Martinez entered a Blake's Lotaburger in Española and demanded money from employees. He then jumped over the counter, shot and killed John Doe 2, and assaulted John Doe 3, the victim's brother and coworker, striking him with the firearm and firing at him. John Doe 3 survived but suffered serious injuries. Martinez fled the scene but was arrested the following day.

Evidence linked Martinez to additional robberies committed during the week-long crime spree, including incidents at a Chevron gas station in Santa Fe, 420 Emporia Smoke Shop in Española, Chalupp's Pizza in Taos, Family Dollar, and Dollar General. During several of those robberies, Martinez discharged his firearm.

At the time of the offenses, Martinez was on federal supervised release following a conviction for assault resulting in serious bodily injury and had absconded from supervision weeks before beginning the robbery spree.

Martinez pleaded guilty to three counts of interference with commerce by robbery, one count of attempted interference with commerce by robbery, using, carrying, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. As part of global plea negotiations with the First Judicial District Attorney's Office, a result of extensive state and federal coordination throughout the investigation, Martinez also agreed to plead guilty in state court to offenses related to the murder of John Doe 2 and other crimes against John Doe 3.

First Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Justin A. Garris, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albuquerque Field Office, made the announcement today.

The Santa Fe Resident Agency of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office investigated this case with assistance from the Española Police Department, Taos Police Department and New Mexico State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Timothy Trembley and Brittany DuChaussee prosecuted the case.

Surveillance video from Dandy BurgerLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.

Surveillance video from Dollar GeneralLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.

Surveillance video from Shell Gas StationLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.

Surveillance video from WalgreensLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link.