LONDON, Ky. (August 22, 2019) – Eric “Big E” Flores, 38, of San Angelo, Texas, and Salomon Martinez, 44, of Eagle Pass, Texas, were sentenced this week, to 110 and 100 months respectively, by United States District Judge Robert E. Wier, for assaulting an inmate with a dangerous weapon.
Co-defendants Rodney “Joker” Galindo, 38, of Odessa, Texas, and Michael “Taz” Morin, 52, of Austin, Texas, were sentenced to 300 and 262 months respectively, for attempted murder and possession of a prohibited object in the facility. Judge Wier also ordered Flores and Martinez pay victim restitution in the amount of $3,955.57. Galindo and Morin were ordered to pay victim restitution in the amount of $611,992.
Flores and Martinez were convicted by a federal jury in April of 2019. Galindo and Morin pled guilty in March of 2019. The evidence presented established that the Defendants were members of the MEXIKANEMI, Texas Mexican Mafia, and participated in the attempted murder and assault of two Arizona Mexican Mafia members, within United States Penitentiary (USP) Big Sandy. Both victims were repeatedly stabbed with metal shanks, in a cell block on June 17, 2018. The first victim sustained permanent and life-threatening injuries, including a depressed skull fracture and traumatic brain injury. The second victim sustained serious injuries that included a fractured scapula and significant stab wounds.
Under federal law, the Defendants must serve 85 percent of their prison sentences; and upon their release, they will be under the supervision of the United States Probation Office for three years.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Hector Joyner, Warden of USP Big Sandy, jointly made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the USP Big Sandy Special Investigative Services Office. The United States was represented by Assistant United States Attorney Jenna E. Reed.
