Man pleads not guilty to burglary charges
courtesy photo
Dominic Martinez
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A Great Falls man, who was born in Polson, is accused of breaking into a residence, assaulting a woman and stealing items from her. Dominic Antonio Martinez, 29, entered a plea of not guilty at District Court in Polson on May 5 to felony charges of burglary and robbery.
In another incident, Martinez pleaded not guilty to failing to register as a violent offender, stemming from a 2018 conviction.
As for the burglary and robbery charges, according to court records on Dec. 17, 2020, a woman called 911 to report that three people had broken into her boyfriend’s home, where she was staying, assaulted her and stole items from her.
A Lake County Sheriff’s Office deputy documented damage to the front entry door. The alleged victim told the deputy that Martinez, along with another man and woman she did not recognize, broke in the front door. She went on to state that Martinez came into her room, placed her in a chokehold and asked where the valuables were while the unidentified woman punched her in the face. The deputy observed injuries to the alleged victim’s face and mouth that were consistent with her story.
Martinez was released from the Montana State Prison about a month before the alleged burglary. A warrant was issued for his arrest when he failed to report to his probation officer about seven days after his release from prison. He was arrested on that warrant on Feb. 10 and had not registered as a violent offender.
District Judge James Manley set a jury trial for Oct. 18. Martinez remains in the Lake County jail with bail set at $100,000.
