OAKLAND — Two men are facing a possible 20 years in prison after they allegedly robbed an undercover federal agent who was trying to bust them for dealing firearms on the black market.
Marcos Antonio Martenez and James Medeiros were charged last week with assault on a federal officer. They allegedly pulled guns on an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, robbing the agent of $8,000.
According to the criminal complaint, the agent set up a gun buy with Martenez, Medeiros and a third man for Nov. 19. The agent was supposed to pay $8,000 for a duffel bag full of guns.
When the agent met with the men at an undisclosed residence in Oakland, they allegedly pulled guns on him and demanded the cash and a gold chain the agent was wearing. The agent said he feared for his life during the robbery.
Shortly thereafter, other ATF agents in the area arrested Medeiros, but Martenez fled the area. By Monday, though, Martenez had been arrested and is in federal custody with Medeiros, according to court records.
Under state and federal law, a person can be charged with assault simply for pointing a gun at someone else. The charge Martenez and Medeiros face carries a maximum term of 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.