Father and son arrested in South Lake Tahoe for weapons and drugs

A father and son were arrested in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday evening for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drugs in the 800 block of Tallac Avenue.

South Lake Tahoe Police Department's SWAT team and SLEDNET detectives served a high-risk warrant on the residence that resulted in the arrest of 55-year old Richard Martin and his 23-year old son Joshua Martin.

Over the last three months, investigators had been examining several different cases that were all affiliated with the Tallac Avenue address where both Martins resided.

In November of 2014 Joshua Martin was reported to the police as a suspicious person standing in the parking lot of the jail with an adult female. Officers found him to be under the influence of a narcotic substance. A search of his vehicle with a police canine resulted in the discovery of heroin and marijuana packaged for sale, needles and other paraphernalia. Joshua Martin and his female companion, 35-year old South Lake Tahoe resident Kimberly Doig, were both arrested for being under the influence of a narcotic and possession of narcotics for sale.

In December of 2014 Joshua Martin was arrested by SLTPD patrol officers after a traffic stop. He was found to be driving under the influence of a narcotic substance. A search of the vehicle with a police canine produced a needle and a metal spoon displaying burn marks, along with about a pound of packaged illegal marijuana. The passenger in this vehicle, 25-year old Anthony Lelis, was also arrested for being under the influence of a narcotic, unlawful possession of drugs and narcotic paraphernalia and sales of controlled substances. Lelis is a resident of Santa Rosa, CA.

On New Year’s Eve 2014, Joshua Martin was again arrested by SLTPD for committing a shoplift burglary at the local Big Five Sporting Goods store. He was in the company of three other adults also associated with the Tallac Avenue address. Investigation is continuing in this case relative to the criminal involvement of Martin’s companions in this case. The investigation revealed that Joshua Martin was also linked to a burglary of the same business the prior day. He was arrested and charged with both burglaries.

On January 16, officers responded to Barton Hospital regarding the arrival of a gunshot victim. When they arrived, they discovered Joshua Martin shot in the hand. Martin explained he had accidentally shot himself while cleaning a handgun at home at the Tallac Avenue address.

While Joshua Martin was receiving treatment at the hospital, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputies became engaged in a pursuit of the vehicle registered to his father, Richard Martin. SLTPD officers assisted deputies when the pursuit concluded within the city. The male driver fled on foot and was not immediately identified and captured. The female passenger was arrested by EDSO Deputies. As this case is being handled by the EDSO, the SLTPD will not release further information about it.

A number of various recent contacts between patrol officers and current parolees, and others with prior felony criminal convictions established a common link to the residence on Tallac Avenue. These contacts indicated the likelihood of illegal drugs being sold from, and consumed at, this residence. Officers developed information during these contacts that the occupants of the house possessed several firearms. The information was consistent with other similar recent reports received independently by detectives of the SLEDNET drug task force.

The younger Martin is currently in custody at the El Dorado County jail in South Lake Tahoe. He faces charges of Possession of Narcotics (Heroin) - a misdemeanor, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a misdemeanor, Possession of Ammunition by a Drug Addict, a misdemeanor and Possession of Firearms by a Drug Addict, a Felony. His bail is currently set at $34,500.

The elder Martin was booked into the EDC jail but was released. He still faces charges Possession of Ammunition by a Drug Addict, a Misdemeanor and Possession of Firearms by a Drug Addict, a Felony. His bail had been set at $16,500.