Mexican Mafia Character Accused Of Possession Of Illegal Drugs In OC Jail – Orange County Register

SANTA ANA – The famous Mexican Mafia leader of Orange County Johnny Martinez on Monday pleaded not guilty to drug possession charges while in the Orange County Jail.

Martinez, 45, was charged with possession of an illegal substance in prison, according to a criminal complaint, which lists the drug as Subutex.

In August, Martinez won a lawsuit dismissing charges of murder, conspiracy, attempted robbery, burglary, and participation in a street crime gang, along with special circumstances charges of murder in a robbery and enhanced sentences for gang activity.

Martinez was charged, along with four other men, on January 19, 2017, with the killing of Robert Rios, 35, of Placentia, in what prosecutors allege was an attack directed by the Mexican Mafia over a dispute over paying “taxes” on the drug trade.

A co-defendant, Augustine Velazquez, is awaiting sentencing.

Martinez has a motion pending second-degree murder sentencing from 1994 based on a new law that dismisses murder charges against defendants who did not actively participate in aiding and abetting a case. killing.

Martinez was also charged in connection with the August 2017 murder plot in Placentia by co-defendant Gregory Munoz, who was, at the time, released from prison. He is awaiting trial in that case.