A New Mexico man was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week in connection to an armed robbery near the Ute Mountain Ute Casino.

Initially charged with attempted murder, Ivan Martin, 26, of Farmington, N.M., received the 10-year sentence on Thursday, March 20, after pleading guilty last month to a charge of second-degree assault with intent to cause serious bodily harm.

“(The victim) is lucky to be alive,” said District Attorney Will Furse.

Furse requested the 10-year sentence, saying that the defendant placed the victim’s life in peril.

The victim was shot in the right shoulder, and then ejected from a moving vehicle on Highway 491.

Public defender Justin Bogan said his client was thankful the victim survived, and said Martin was remorseful for his actions. He argued for the court to consider his client’s willingness to cooperate with the investigation.

“This was just a single violent episode,” Bogan said. “He understands that he can’t be a daddy and a gun-toting gangster.”

Martin’s wife, visibly shaken while addressing the court, pleaded with Chief District Court Judge Doug Walker to have mercy when imposing sentence. The couple has a newborn baby that Martin has yet to even hold, she said.

“I certainly feel sorry for your family,” Walker told Martin, “but I feel more sorry for the victim and his family.”

In custody for 167 days, Martin’s 10-year sentence was credited with time served. He was also ordered to pay court costs and restitution for the victim’s medical bills.

Martin was arrested and charged with co-defendant Robert Rodriguez, 39, of Glendale, Ariz., in connection to the Sept. 11 armed robbery.

Charges against Rodriguez remain pending.

Court documents reveal that Martin told investigators that Rodriguez not only suggested they rob the victim, but Rodriguez was also the triggerman in the shooting.

tbaker@cortezjournal.com