The Indiana Supreme Court declined to review a state law that would have banned Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez from having a service weapon after he was charged with a felony.
Martinez, 54, pleaded guilty in February to Cass C misdemeanor reckless driving. He was sentenced to two months probation.
Since he no longer faced a felony, the issue was “moot,” Chief Justice Loretta Rush wrote on Dec. 5, directing a lower court to dismiss the case.
Martinez was charged on Jan. 6, 2022, with Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor reckless driving.
Court records allege Crown Point police officers tried to pull over a black SUV on Sept. 18, 2021, at Taft Street/Main Street, which was going “well over” the 45 mph speed limit. The driver turned east on U.S. 30. As they caught up, the SUV driver turned on his police lights and they broke off the pursuit.
mcolias@post-trib.com
