On June 4, 2009, Tulare County Superior Court Judge James Hollman imposed a prison sentence of six years on 41-year-old Leopoldo Martinez of Exeter for one count of felony child endangerment and one felony count for the sale of methamphetamine. When Martinez entered his plea, he also admitted that he suffered a prior conviction for a serious felony and that he had served two prior prison terms.

On March 11, 2009, Exeter police officers observed the defendant engaged in hand-to-hand drug sales from his Exeter residence. On March 24, 2009 a search warrant at the defendant’s residence revealed methamphetamine and narcotic paraphernalia. Police determined that drug sales had been taking place at the residence in the presence of two minor children. The sale and presence of methamphetamine at the residence resulted in the child endangerment charges.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Matt Darby and investigated by Detectives Jeff Detwiler and Fernando Rodriguez of the Exeter Police Department.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney Shani D. Jenkins (559) 733-6411