Former officers re-indicted
Two former local police officers were re-indicted by a federal grand jury on weapons charges Sept. 16 as federal law enforcement officials continue to crack down on illegal firearms purchases.
Former Palm Valley police officer Ramon Martinez and former Rio Hondo police officer Armando Dueñez are charged with two counts of dealing in firearms without a license and one count of making false statement and representation. Martinez faces an additional count of making a false statement and representation.
The indictment states that the two claimed to have purchased the firearms for official police business.
The two were first indicted in August, but were re-indicted as more instances of alleged illegal weapons dealings were added.
Court records reflect that Martinez, 37, is free on a $75,000 bond, still seeking the dismissal of the initial indictment against him.
He alleges that an agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told him that he would not be arrested or prosecuted. The U.S. Attorney's Office disputes the allegation.
The public record reflects that a warrant of arrest is still outstanding for Dueñez, 26, who skipped a court hearing shortly after the first indictment. He had been out on a $30,000 unsecured bond.
As more and more cases regarding illegal purchases of weapons are filed in court, ATF and the U.S. Attorney's Office continue the public awareness campaign dubbed "Don't Lie for the Other Guy" through billboards throughout the country.
"Buy a gun for someone who can't and buy yourself 10 years in jail," the campaign cautions.
