Luis Alberto Martinez-Martinez, 49, was found guilty as charged for a crime involving the kidnapping of a woman at a gym in Lee County. A jury returned the guilty verdict this afternoon of one count each of Kidnapping, Aggravated Assault with a Firearm, Resisting or Obstructing an Officer without Violence, and Battery.
The jury further found that he carried, displayed, used, or threatened to use a firearm during the commission of the kidnapping. Evidence introduced at trial also included photographs of an object the defendant attached to himself that demonstrated his intent, along with his statements to the victim, to terrorize the victim as part of the kidnapping charge. Martinez-Martinez faces up to life in prison when he is sentenced.
The crime happened in 2017 at a gym in Lehigh Acres around 9:30 in the morning. A woman was doing her workout in the gym when the defendant, also a member of the gym, approached her and asked her if she needed help working out. She told him she did not. He began threatening her saying he was going to sexually batter her. She told him to leave her alone. She had never seen the defendant before.
He then grabbed her by the wrist and began pulling her towards the front door and threatened her with a firearm which he displayed. Other members of the gym intervened, asking him to leave her alone. They also called 911 and let him know law enforcement was on the way. The defendant leaned over and kissed the victim on the cheek before walking out.
Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies were on scene within minutes and located the defendant in the parking lot. He was arrested and taken to the Lee County Jail. As he was being searched at the jail, deputies discovered the object taped to his body in his shorts. The defendant testified at trial that he put it on prior to going to the gym.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 30th. Assistant State Attorney Leena Marcos and Assistant State Attorney Heather Fly prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen
Communications Director
State Attorney’s Office
ssyoen@sao20.org
239-533-1125