Jevon Martinez walks out of Sandoval County court hearing, judge to issue warrant

Jevon Martinez walked out of a Sandoval County court hearing Monday, triggering a planned bench warrant. The judge warned he would issue the warrant for failure to appear at an arraignment on charges he vandalized three Flock cameras in Rio Rancho earlier this year.

Sandoval County District Court Judge Christopher Perez set the warning on the record before Martinez left the courtroom. The judge asked Martinez if he wanted his court-appointed attorney, Pamala Sullivan, to cover the charges with him.

“Mr. Martinez, if you don’t stay, I’m going to have to issue a bench warrant for failure to appear at an arraignment. Alright, you are warned,” Judge Perez said.

Martinez responded by objecting and declaring the case dismissed. “Litigators, let’s go,” he said before walking out.

He was scheduled for arraignment on larceny, criminal damage to property, and tampering with evidence charges. Police said he destroyed three Flock cameras in Rio Rancho and left a sign reading “You’re welcome, Republic of New Mexico.”

During the hearing, Martinez said he was making a “special appearance, not a general appearance.” He called Sullivan “co-counsel” and said she could not speak for him without his consent.

The warrant has yet to be filed. Judge Perez said he will set a later hearing to decide if Martinez can represent himself.

District courts in New Mexico handle felony-level cases and misdemeanor matters that exceed lower-court limits. An arraignment is the formal reading of charges and entry of a plea. A bench warrant is a court order for arrest issued by a judge, often for failure to appear.

No further court date was listed in the court record reviewed by reporters.