Former New Mexico Deputy Sentenced to Nine Years for Violating Civil Rights and Obstruction

Former New Mexico deputy Michael A. Martinez was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting an arrestee.Photo byCarles RabadaonUnsplash

A former a former New Mexico sheriff’s deputy, Michael A. Martinez, was sentenced Tuesday to nine years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, and will be required to register as a sex offender under the Federal Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Martinez, 34, pleaded guilty on April 23 to sexually assaulting a female arrestee inside his patrol car and attempting to destroy a video recording device in his police vehicle, which captured of the assault.

The sentencing comes after his conviction for violating the civil rights of a female arrestee and obstruction of justice, according to DOJ officials.

“Sexual assaults perpetrated by police officers are heinous crimes and a disgraceful breach of the public’s trust in law enforcement,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“This defendant’s misconduct—exploiting the power of his badge, weaponizing his authority as a police officer, and sexually assaulting a handcuffed victim in the back of his patrol vehicle—violated the victim’s core civil rights and basic standards of decency.”

According to court documents, on April 30, 2023, Martinez, while serving as a sheriff’s deputy for the Doña Ana Sheriff’s Office in Doña Ana County, responded to a car accident and arrested the victim for driving while intoxicated and careless driving.

After taking her to a medical center for clearance, Martinez handcuffed the victim and placed her back in his patrol car, where he proceeded to sexually assault her. He then transported her to the Doña Ana Detention Center.

Later that day, Martinez attempted to destroy the DVR system in his patrol car, knowing it had recorded the sexual assault from the backseat camera, according to DOJ officials.

“The violation of civil rights is a serious issue, especially when committed by those entrusted with enforcing the law,” said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office.

“An officer who betrays their duty to protect and serve undermines the integrity of the entire profession. The FBI will not hesitate to investigate any officer or agent who breaks the laws they are meant to enforce or who infringes on the civil rights of others.”