Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Paul Heredia
File # GE231880001
Details:
On Friday, July 7, 2023, at 9:00 A.M. the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force with the assistance of the Palm Desert Business District Team, served a search warrant in the 73000 block of Callita Barbara in the unincorporated community of Thousand Palms. During the service of the search warrant, Gang Task Force Officers located five illegally possessed firearms including a machine gun. Gang Task Force Officers collected a .45 caliber full-auto handgun (Machine gun), a .45 caliber semi-auto handgun, two 9mm semi-auto handguns, and a .25 caliber semi-auto handgun. They also collected .45 caliber and 9mm ammunition in addition to body armor. Gang Task Force Officers arrested convicted felons and documented gang members, Joel Orlando Martinez, 20 of Thousand Palms and his father, Joel Francisco Martinez, 42 of Thousand Palms in relation to the firearms. Joel Orlando Martinez was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Possession of a Machine Gun, Manufacturing a Machine Gun and Felon in Possession of Body Armor. Joel Francisco Martinez was charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition and Felon in Possession of Body Armor. Both suspects were booked at John Benoit Detention Center in Indio.
The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force is committed to creating safe and secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity. If you have any information about this crime, please contact CVVCGTF member Deputy J. Chavez at (760) 836-1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use our online Gang Task Force Tip Form or call 951-922-7601.
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