Full Notification

** NEWS RELEASE **
August 30, 2010

Sheriff’s investigators arrest individual believed to be responsible for courthouse threats.

Sheriff’s investigators arrested Steven Anthony Martinez age 22, D.O.B. 3-20-88 after detectives following up on leads in the case, received a tip that he made the threatening calls in reference to the threats at the courthouse. The tip was given to law enforcement from a confidential informant. While detectives are still continuing the investigation on the phone calls, Mr. Martinez has been arrested on an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court on previous burglary and possession of drugs charges.

Mr. Martinez is from Chimayo and was found hiding in bushes near his home on County Road 102 in Rio Arriba County. Detectives are working with the District Attorney’s office on possible charges which could be filed later in reference to the threats made in phone calls to the Santa Fe County 911 emergency center and to Judge Michael Vigil’s office at the First Judicial District Court. Sheriff Solano stated that he is “relieved that we have a suspect in custody and he feels the public and the courthouse staff and surrounding offices and businesses can return to work tomorrow a little safer”.