For Immediate Release

Albuquerque, NM - On February 15, 2012, the United States Marshal Service, Albuquerque Police Department, and the New Mexico State Police arrested brothers Zephaniah Martinez, James Martinez, and their grandmother Sally Gaut after a 2 hour Standoff in Peralta, NM. Z. Martinez and James Martinez were allegedly involved in a shooting at a Walmart in Albuquerque earlier this month. Gaut is charged with conspiracy in the same crime.

Investigators with the United States Marshals Service, Albuquerque Police Department and New Mexico State Police (NMSP) developed information the trio might be hiding in the Peralta, NM area. Investigators also gathered information that the two Martinez brothers had made statements they would shoot it out with the police. Given the information that the Martinez brothers were possibly armed and willing to have a violent confrontation once their whereabouts were determined assistance from the New Mexico State Police SWAT team was requested. NMSP SWAT was able to convince the three to exit the residence in Peralta peacefully and all three were taken into custody and turned over to the Albuquerque Police Department for further investigation.

Additional information about the U.S. Marshals Service can be found at http://www.usmarshals.gov.

####

America’s Oldest Federal Law Enforcement Agency