CALIPATRIA, Calif. – Authorities at Calipatria State Prison are investigating a deadly altercation stemming from an incident Thursday afternoon, which resulted in the death of Alberto Martinez, a 46-year-old man sentenced to death for murder and kidnapping. Martinez was assaulted by multiple fellow inmates in a sudden and coordinated attack.
At about 1:23 p.m., correctional officers witnessed inmate Tyler A. Lua strike Martinez, knocking him to the ground. Officials report that Lua then stepped away as Jorge D. Negrete-Larios and Luis J. Beltran joined in, continuing to assault the motionless Martinez. The fast reaction of the prison staff, using pepper spray and a baton, halted the attack.
Despite the staff’s immediate emergency response and the medical team’s life-saving attempts, Martinez was pronounced dead within an hour of the attack, at 2:20 p.m. An examination revealed injuries consistent with the use of handmade weapons, two of which were found at the scene.
Martinez was notable as a gang member in prison since August 17, 2010, under a condemned status due to his role in a high-profile crime involving the kidnapping and killing of Buena Park businessman David Montemayor in October 2002. Martinez, as per trial testimonies, served as the getaway driver in the crime organized because Montemayor’s sister contested his takeover of the family’s business.
Tyler A. Lua, a 25-year-old, had been transferred from San Bernardino County and was serving a term for attempted second-degree murder with additional penalties for firearm use. Lua’s previous convictions also included an additional sentence for possession of a controlled substance while incarcerated.
Similarly, Negrete-Larios, a 33-year-old serving a sentence for attempted second-degree murder since 2016, came from Riverside County, facing severe charges involving firearm discharge and gang activity related violence. Beltran, most recently transferred to Calipatria from Los Angeles County in April 2023, is serving a life sentence without parole for first-degree murder among other enhancements.
Following the incident, prison officials have restricted movement in the area where the attack took place. Lua, Negrete-Larios, and Beltran were moved to restricted housing as the investigation unfolds, operated by the prison’s Investigative Services Unit in cooperation with the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office.
While the specific motive behind the attack remains unclear, the ramifications of gang affiliations and previous criminal interactions are under scrutinous evaluation. The Imperial County Coroner’s Office will undertake an autopsy to confirm Martinez’s cause of death, while the Inspector General’s Office has been alerted for oversight.
This fatal incident casts a shadow over the prison’s operational protocols and safety measures, raising questions about the enforcement of security and the management of incarcerated individuals, particularly those with gang affiliations. The circumstances surrounding the attack have ignited discussions on potential reforms and strategies to curb such violence within the correctional system. The investigation remains ongoing, with the prison authorities committed to ensuring justice and reviewing protocols to prevent future incidents.