A Montezuma County judge rejected a defense request earlier this week to reduce bond for a suspect charged in a jewelry heist.
“These are unproven allegations, and you remain innocent until proven guilty, but the facts that are alleged are extreme,” Judge JenniLynn Lawrence told a shackled Ivan Martin. “At this time, there is no change in the bond.”
Martin, 25, of Farmington was arrested earlier this month after fleeing the jurisdiction for a shooting incident that occurred Sept. 11, near the Ute Mountain casino. He was charged Sept. 13, with a single count of aggravated robbery. He remains in custody on a $75,000 bond.
On Monday, Sept. 23, public defender Zach Brown requested a lower bond, citing his client’s wife is 7½ months pregnant. Brown requested the bond be reduced to $10,000.
District Attorney Will Furse argued it was premature to lower the bond at this time. In his arguments, Furse said Martin is a convicted felon with a history of evading authorities.
“The defendant held the victim hostage at gunpoint, and subsequently robbed him of valuable jewelry,” Furse said.
Authorities have also confirmed that U.S. Marshals arrested Robert Rodriguez, 39, of Glendale, Ariz., last week in connection to the case. Montezuma County Detective Ted Meador said Rodriguez remains in custody at an Arizona facility to face unknown pending charges there before being extradited to face charges in Montezuma County.
Court records state both Martin and Rodriguez were inside the casino playing slots when a 22-year-old man approached the two suspects to sell jewelry. Martin told investigators that Rodriguez not only suggested they rob victim, but Rodriguez was also the triggerman in the shooting.
Despite suffering a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, the victim escaped the robbery by jumping from a moving vehicle on U.S. Highway 491.
Martin is next scheduled to appear in court for a 1:30 p.m. Oct. 16 arraignment hearing.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com