The suspect in the murder of a minor and multiple sexual offenses was arraigned in superior court, according to a press release from the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office.
Joshua Martinez, originally from Livingston in Merced County, was indicted on Monday by a San Joaquin County Grand Jury. He was arrested on Thursday for the alleged murder of a victim identified as 16-year-old Victoria Marquina of Sutter Creek in Amador County, the DA’s office announced.
Marquina had been missing for six years, according to the district attorney.
“Today, I am announcing that my Office, along with the Amador County District Attorney’s Office, indicted the defendant Joshua Martinez before a San Joaquin County grand jury earlier this month for Victoria’s murder,” District Attorney Ron Freitas said in a press release.
Martinez faces a potential life sentence if convicted of the charges in the indictment. The charges include murder, unlawful intercourse with a minor more than three years younger than the suspect, oral copulation with a person under 18-year-old and sexual penetration by a foreign object with a victim under 18-years-old.
Marquina was the only victim.
Martinez was booked into the San Joaquin County Jail, and is being held without bail as the prosecution continues.
The next court appearance for Martinez is scheduled for April 6 at 8:30 a.m. in San Joaquin County Superior Court.