Brother Of Murder Suspect Arrested As Possible Accessory

LA QUINTA -The brother of a reputed La Quinta gang member, who is being prosecuted for the 2008 fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of involvement in the murder, a sheriff’s sergeant said today.

Noe Martinez, 27, of Los Angeles was arrested around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in Los Angeles by a multi-agency team that included local law enforcement and FBI agents, said Sgt. Brian Reno of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Martinez’s 20-year-old brother, Jose Alfredo Martinez, was already accused in the March 13, 2008, shooting death of Jonathan Sanchez, Reno said.

The mortally wounded victim was found in a vehicle around 9:40 p.m. that night in the 52000 block of Avenida Vallejo, which is in the La Quinta Cove.

He died an hour later at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital.

Investigators arrested the younger Martinez the next day, but continued to investigate the murder, according to Reno.

They did not disclose what evidence led them to issue a Dec. 15 arrest warrant for the older brother, nor was a motive for the slaying released.

Noe Martinez was being held in lieu of $2 million bail in the Indio Jail, with arraignment tentatively set for tomorrow.

His brother, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail, is set to go to trial on Jan. 15.