Former Las Cruces Man, 27, Booked on Federal Transfer Following Conviction

Michael Martinez, 27, was booked into the Doña Ana County Detention Center on Aug. 20, 2026. Registered under booking number 2600006689, he is held on a felony charge categorized as all other offenses following a federal transfer. The record lists his residence in Mexico and indicates he is being held without bond. According to news reports, Martinez is a former Doña Ana County sheriff's deputy who was investigated for federal civil rights and obstruction offenses. The Department of Justice and news outlets reported the charges stemmed from an on-duty sexual assault and a subsequent attempt to cover up the incident. The case involved allegations of kidnapping and civil rights violations occurring while he was employed as a law enforcement officer. Court and news records indicate Martinez was convicted in this case. CBS News reports that he pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine years in prison for the federal offenses.