U.S. Department of Justice

United States Attorney
Northern District of Texas

1100 Commerce St., 3rd FL.
Dallas, Texas 75242-1699

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (214) 659-8707

DALLAS, TEXAS

JULY 11, 2001

TWO CHARGED IN FEDERAL "TEXAS EXILE" INDICTMENT
FOR STRING OF ARMED ROBBERIES

United States Attorney Richard H. Stephens announced today that a federal grand jury sitting in Dallas, Texas returned a 20-count indictment yesterday against Walter Jose Miranda and Jose "Pavo" Martinez, charging each with eight counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of firearms theft and ten counts of using, carrying and possessing a firearm in the commission of a robbery. If convicted on all charges, each defendant faces a mandatory 235-year prison sentence for the firearms charges in the indictment. The defendants are also facing up to 20 years in prison for each robbery count and up to 10 years in prison for each firearms theft count.

Walter Jose Miranda, age 19, was arrested by law enforcement officers on June 21, 2000. He is currently in federal custody. Jose "Pavo" Martinez, age 21, is still at large. Anyone with information as to Martinez' location should notify law enforcement immediately by calling "911." Martinez is considered armed and dangerous.

The indictment charges Miranda, Martinez, and their accomplices with using, carrying and possessing a firearm while committing the following robberies:

• July 26, 2000 Chicken N' Rice Restaurant, Dallas, Texas
  

• September 16, 2000 Domino's Pizza, Dallas, Texas
  

• September 25, 2000 Action Pawn Store, Dallas, Texas
  

• October 6, 2000 Golden Corral Restaurant, Dallas, Texas
  

• November 10, 2000 Kenwood Outlet Store, Farmers Branch, Texas
  

• November 24, 2000 First Cash Pawn Store, Dallas, Texas
  

• January 17, 2001 Black-Eyed Pea, Dallas, Texas
  

• February 18, 2001 American Pawn Store, Dallas, Texas

According to the indictment, during these robberies, Miranda, Martinez, and their accomplices stole currency, jewelry and assorted firearms. The indictment further charges that these individuals stole four semiautomatic weapons from the Action Pawn Store and twelve semiautomatic weapons and two revolvers from the American Pawn Store during each respective robbery.

Walter Jose Miranda and Jose "Pavo" Martinez are being prosecuted under the "Texas Exile" program. "Texas Exile" is an intergovernmental crime-control initiative designed to put felons and other violent offenders who use or possess firearms behind bars and "exile" them from the community after swift, successful, and severe federal prosecution. According to statistics from the Office of the Attorney General, State of Texas, as of June 1, 2001, "Texas Exile" has resulted in over 1056 indictments, 489 convictions and 1217 guns confiscated.

United States Attorney Stephens praised the exemplary investigative work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms as well as the Dallas and Farmers Branch Police Departments. The case is being prosecuted under the "Texas Exile" program by Special Assistant United States Attorney Michael Gill.

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