Udall, Heinrich Welcome Confirmation of Damon Martinez as U.S. Attorney for N.M.

WASHINGTON - Today U.S. Senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich joined the Senate in voting unanimously to confirm Damon P. Martinez to be U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico.

Martinez has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney since 2001 and as acting U.S. Attorney since March 2014. He is highly experienced in cases concerning national security and anti-terrorism, immigration and narcotics. The senators recommended Martinez for the position of U.S. Attorney in an April 26, 2013, letter to President Obama.

"Damon Martinez has already stepped up to the plate as acting U.S. Attorney in New Mexico, and I'm pleased to join the Senate in voting unanimously to confirm him to the position," Udall said. "Damon's dedication to public service and distinguished career in law enforcement will serve the people of New Mexico well. I want to thank the president for following our recommendation to nominate him for this important post."

"Damon Martinez's long record of public service to the people of New Mexico has more than prepared him to serve as the state's U.S. Attorney," Heinrich said. "I have no doubt he will serve New Mexico and the nation with distinction in this position. I was happy to support his nomination and am pleased to see him unanimously confirmed by the Senate."

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. Martinez currently holds the rank of Major.

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.