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News Release
Brian_Rios_Vegas_-_Photo_I.jpg
Brian_Rios_Vegas_-_Photo_I.jpg
Jesus Alberto Martinez receives 190 month prison sentence after unanimously being convicted of six armed robberies (Photo) - 09/13/19

September 13, 2019

Jesus Alberto Martinez receives 190 month prison sentence after unanimously being convicted of six armed robberies

Today, Multnomah County District Attorney Rod Underhill announced that 24-year-old Jesus Alberto Martinez received a 190 month prison sentence for committing multiple armed robberies over the course of approximately five hours on April 10, 2018.

"Many of Mr. Martinez’s victims are still feeling an enormous impact from these violent and premediated takeover style robberies," said Multnomah County Senior Deputy District Attorney David Hannon, who litigated this case.

On June 5, 2019, upon the conclusion of a weeklong trial, a Multnomah County jury unanimously convicted Martinez of six counts of robbery in the first degree with a firearm.

The robberies occurred at five separate locations and involved six separate victims:

  • April 10, 2018 | 12:33 a.m. | the Plaid Pantry located in the 2700 block of North Lombard Street in Portland
  • April 10, 2018 | 01:59 a.m. | the Plaid Pantry located in the 16200 block of Southeast Division Street in Portland
  • April 10, 2018 | 02:26 a.m. | the Plaid Pantry located in the 14000 block of Northeast Sandy Boulevard in Portland
  • April 10, 2018 | 03:41 a.m. | the Plaid Pantry located in the 18000 block of Southeast Stark Street in Gresham
  • April 10, 2018 | 04:45 a.m. | the Subway restaurant located in the 2400 block of Southeast 122nd Avenue in Portland

“The behavior of Mr. Martinez escalated and by that fifth robbery, he wasn’t just holding a gun. He was shoving it into the face of the employee. He held that gun right next to her head her and he threatened that if she didn’t speed up, she would be taken out back and killed,” SDDA Hannon said.

During the investigation, law enforcement determined that Martinez was part of a group that involved three juveniles and that the group used clothing to hide their identities, wore gloves and used a .40 caliber handgun to commit these robberies.

Furthermore, law enforcement reviewed surveillance video that showed Martinez dropped a lit cigarette on the ground at the Plaid Pantry in Gresham. The cigarette was located, collected and sent to the Oregon State Police Crime Lab for forensic testing. The cigarette matched the DNA of Martinez. During the investigation, law enforcement recovered the vehicle used during these robberies and determined it had been reported stolen.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office sought a 240 month prison sentence based on the substantial harm Martinez caused the victims and the threat to public safety he poses based on his violent behavior. The court, after reviewing a confidential presentence investigation and hearing from Martinez, imposed a 190 month prison sentence.

Upon his release, Martinez will be on three years of post-prison supervision.  

On April 17, 2019, Brian Rios Vegas, 17, appeared in Multnomah County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery in the first degree for his involvement in these crimes. According to court documents, Vegas will receive a 100 month prison sentence when his sentence is finalized at a later date. Vegas’ case was adjudicated in adult court pursuant to Ballot Measure 11.

The identifications of the other involved individuals are known to law enforcement, however, no additional information is being released pursuant to ongoing criminal investigations.

Two still photos from surveillance video, which was entered as an exhibit during trial, are being released with a copy of this press release.

The Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office recognizes the patrol officers of the Portland Police Bureau and Gresham Police Department who responded to these robberies and to Portland Police Detective Travis Law, Gresham Police Criminalist DeAnna Grossi, and Gresham Police Detective Tim Snider for their dedicated effort investigating this case. Additionally, the District Attorney’s Office recognizes the Oregon State Police Crime Lab and Multnomah County District Attorney Victim Advocate Tabitha Smith for their assistance throughout this case. 

#MCDA#


Contact: Brent Weisberg, Communications Director

Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Phone: 503.988.6567 | Email: Brent.Weisberg@mcda.us

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