This article was originally published in The Examiner on Feb. 16, 2017.
By Eleanor Skelton
Staff Writer
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Fugitive Recovery deputies arrested Johnny Ray Martin, 44, at his residence at Feb. 13.
Jefferson Count law enforcement issued a warrant for Martin issued for engaging in organized criminal activity with a bond of $100,000 after Beaumont Police filed charges against Martin on Feb. 10, Beaumont Police Officer Carol Riley said in a news release.
Beaumont Police Detectives served a search warrant Jan. 12 at Martin’s apartment in the 4400 block of Phelan Boulevard, seizing property believed stolen from more than 20 residences in Jefferson and Orange Counties and numerous businesses throughout Southeast Texas, according to the news release. Deputies took Martin to the Beaumont Police Department to speak with investigators Feb. 13.
“Martin is involved in drug dealing, prostitution and is a known ‘fence’ for stolen property,” Riley said. A “fence” is someone who knowingly buys stolen property for resale, she said.
A four-page list of items recovered by Beaumont Police included electronics like laptops, tablets, cellphones and a flatscreen TV as well as a tool set, large household appliances, antiques and jewelry.
Beaumont Police Burglary Detective Tina Lewallen said in a a press conference that this investigation has been ongoing for months, and police investigating linked Martin to about 30 different burglaries.
“We recovered over $30,000 worth of stolen property [and] merchandise inside his one-bedroom apartment in the West End of Beaumont,” Lewallen said. “I know he did not act alone — there were many tentacles.”
“This guy would fund drug addicts,” she said. “When we did a search warrant on his phone, he actually manipulated drug addict after addict after addict to where he had them stealing from people, from stores, businesses, and exchange an $80 pill for a $20,000 wedding ring.
“He was a mastermind behind a crime spree for months.”
Lewallen said she anticipates additional arrests. During the press conference, she said, “I have filed further charges at this point already.”
Some items have already been returned to the owners, Lewallen said, noting jewelry and family heirloom pieces. Police are still working with several retail stores to return stolen merchandise, often still in the original packaging.
Eleanor Skelton 