High Speed Chase Results in a 28 ½ Year Prison Sentence

Clovis, NM – Ninth Judicial District Attorney, Quentin Ray, announced today that Arthur Martinez, age 40, of Clovis, was found guilty on February 28, 2024, by a Curry County Jury of Aggravated fleeing a Law Enforcement Officer, Possession of Methamphetamine and Tampering with Evidence. 

On October 25, 2023, Deputies from the Curry County Sheriff’s Office responded to calls of a burglary in progress on the seventeen hundred block of Prado Street.  Upon arrival as the deputies exited their vehicles, a blue Monte Carlo left the scene at a high rate of speed.  The deputies estimated the driver reached speeds up to 90-100 mph on Brady Street.  The vehicle turned north on Norris and ran a red light striking a pickup truck totaling the vehicle.  Martinez’s car was disabled, and he ran from Deputies into a nearby business and was captured.  During a foot pursuit he threw a backpack that contained approximately 10 grams of methamphetamines.

Today at sentencing Judge David Reeb, found Martinez to be a repeat offender with 5 prior felony convictions and numerous probation violations.  Martinez has also been arrested or cited over 17 times for driving on a suspended license.  At the time of the foot pursuit Martinez had warrants for his arrest from three other counties in New Mexico and was an absconder from probation in Portales having last reported to his probation officer over two years ago.  Judge David Reeb, after hearing recommendations from Brett Carter, Special Prosecutor and Taylor Larsen, Defense attorney sentenced Martinez to the maximum of 28 ½ years in prison.