WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich are recommending to President Barack Obama that Damon P. Martinez be the next United States Attorney for the District of New Mexico. The senators made their recommendation to the president in a letter today.
Martinez has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2001 and currently supervises the Organized Crime and Gang Section in Albuquerque. He is highly experienced in cases concerning national security and anti-terrorism, immigration and narcotics.
"We are pleased to recommend Damon Martinez to be the top enforcer of federal laws in New Mexico," said Udall and Heinrich. "Damon has shown a strong commitment to justice throughout his exemplary legal career. His strong prosecutorial background, education and commitment to upholding the law will make him a great U.S. Attorney."
Martinez began his career as a federal prosecutor in the Las Cruces branch of the U.S. Attorney's Office and transferred to Albuquerque in 2005. Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney's office, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of New Mexico, and held the positions of legislative director and legislative assistant for then-Congressman Udall and U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, respectively.
Martinez is an Albuquerque native and graduate of St. Pius X High School. He holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees, a Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from the University of New Mexico. He was also a Judge Advocate in the U.S. Army Reserve until 2009, when he transferred to the New Mexico National Guard. He recently returned from a deployment to Sinai, Egypt.
"We expect this extremely important position to be vacant sometime this summer, and by making our recommendation early we hope that it will be filled as soon as possible," the senators added.
U.S. Attorneys serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the U.S. Attorney General. They are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the U.S. Senate. Each U.S. Attorney is the chief federal law enforcement officer of the U.S. within his or her particular jurisdiction.
