Alexander M.M. Uballez U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico
A Navajo man has entered a guilty plea in federal court to charges of second-degree murder and firearms violations related to a fatal shooting incident that occurred in 2022. The case involves the death of John Doe, who was found deceased with gunshot wounds on July 26, 2022, near Ojo Encino.
The Navajo Nation Police Department responded to reports of the shooting and identified Jason Lee Martinez, a 51-year-old member of the Navajo Nation, as the shooter. Witnesses reported that Martinez fled immediately after the incident. Investigators at the scene recovered seven .40 caliber bullet casings, and an autopsy confirmed that John Doe died from gunshot wounds inflicted by a single bullet that passed through his chest, heart, lung, and liver.
On August 26, 2022, FBI agents interviewed Martinez. During this interview, he admitted to shooting John Doe. As part of his plea agreement, Martinez faces a prison sentence ranging from 17 to 28 years followed by three years of supervised release.
The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Holland S. Kastrin along with Raul Bujanda, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. The investigation was conducted by the FBI Albuquerque Field Office with support from both the Navajo Nation Department of Investigation and the Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jesse Pecoraro is handling prosecution duties for this case.
