Overview
- A San Joaquin County grand jury charged Martinez with murder and three sex offenses involving a minor, and he faces a potential life sentence if convicted.
- He was arrested by U.S. Marshals on March 12 and made his first court appearance this week; he remains jailed without bail.
- Officials said new technology and information developed in the past year contributed to the charges, but they have not detailed the evidence.
- Marquina, 16 and pregnant, was last seen on Oct. 9, 2019 after a brief relationship with Martinez; her phone later pinged in San Joaquin County and her car was found abandoned in Escalon, but her body has not been found.
- Martinez was previously arrested, fled to Mexico, was extradited and released in 2020 for lack of evidence; a cold‑case task force renewed the probe, and he is due back in court on April 6.