Drugs, guns land father, son in jail

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE — A father and son, along with others were arrested Thursday night on drug and weapons charges, according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD).

A high-risk search warrant was served by the SLTPD SWAT team on the 800 block of Tallac Avenue in South Lake Tahoe. The father and son were arrested and charged with illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and drug possession. Arrested were Richard Martin, 55 and his son, Joshua Martin, 23, who lived in the same home. A search warrant was sought as the result of investigators examining several independent cases affiliated with the address on Tallac Avenue and the residents and visitors there, during the past three months.

In November Joshua Martin was reported to the police as a suspicious person standing in the parking lot of the jail with a woman. Officers found him to be under the influence of a narcotic substance, according to the SLTPD. A search of his vehicle with a police K-9 reportedly resulted in the discovery of heroin and marijuana packaged for sale, needles and other paraphernalia. Joshua Martin and Kimberly Doig, 35, of South Lake Tahoe, were both arrested for being under the influence of a narcotic and possession of narcotics for sale.

In December 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 K-9 produced a needle and a metal spoon displaying burn marks, along with about a pound of packaged illegal marijuana, according to SLTPD. The passenger in this vehicle, Anthony Lelis, 25, was also arrested and charged with 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.

On New Year’s Eve Joshua Martin was again arrested by SLTPD for allegedly committing a shoplift burglary at the Big 5 Sporting Goods store. He was reportedly in the company of three other adults associated with the Tallac Avenue address. The investigation is continuing in this case relative to the criminal involvement of Martin’s companions in this case. The investigation revealed Joshua Martin was also allegedly linked to a burglary of the same business the prior day. He was arrested and charged with both burglaries.

On Jan. 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 reportedly told police he accidentally shot himself while cleaning a handgun at the Tallac Avenue address.

While Joshua Martin was receiving treatment at the hospital, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office (EDSO) 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 man driving reportedly ran from the scene and was not immediately identified and captured. The woman passenger was arrested by EDSO deputies. As this case is being handled by the EDSO, the SLTPD is not going to release further information about it.

Law enforcement officials stated 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 allegedly indicated the likelihood of illegal drugs being sold from, and used at the residence. Officers developed information during these contacts the occupants of the house possessed several firearms. According to the SLTPD, the information was consistent with other similar recent reports received independently by detectives of the SLEDNET drug task force.

Because of reported risk factors the SLTPD SWAT team responded. Investigators reportedly found Joshua Martin and Richard Martin in the home with suspected heroin and unlawful drug paraphernalia, several firearms including a shotgun, a rifle and two handguns. Ammunition for these firearms was also reportedly discovered during the search. Joshua Allen Martin was charged with possession of narcotics; possession of drug paraphernalia; possession of ammunition and possession of firearms.

Richard Joseph Martin was charged with possession of ammunition and possession of firearms by a drug addict.