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FEDERAL INMATES INDICTED FOR MURDER AT COLEMAN

United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill today announced the return of an indictment of Gerardo Martinez, a 29 year old former resident of Yakima, Washington, and Osbaldo Farias, a 36 year old former resident of Fort Worth, Texas, charging them with conspiracy to commit murder and first degree murder. The maximum penalties Martinez and Farias face if convicted on all counts are up to life imprisonment or death, and a fine of $250,000.

According to the indictment, Martinez and Farias were incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Florida. On or about October 16, 2007, Martinez, Farias and the victim, Orlando Yazzie, also an inmate, were exercising in a recreation cage when Farias stabbed Yazzie with a “shank” approximately 13 times. A “shank” is a slang term given to a sharp or pointed implement that prisoners used as an improvised knife-like weapon. Martinez and Farias then punched, kicked and stomped Yazzie for approximately 45 minutes. Yazzie died as a result of those injuries.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent until, and unless, proven guilty.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent A. Citro.