By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that Salvador Pena Martinez (DOB 05/11/81), of Oxnard, was sentenced on July 21, 2025, to 25 years and four months in state prison for the violent assault of his girlfriend in 2020.
Martinez previously pled guilty on April 21, 2025, to inflicting corporal injury, kidnapping, criminal threats, arson of an inhabited structure, evading an officer, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, all of which are felonies. He also admitted to dozens of special allegations and aggravating factors, including causing great bodily injury, that the victim was vulnerable, and prior felony strikes.
On May 17, 2020, Martinez violently attacked his girlfriend during an argument about her cellphone. He tore her clothing, punched her repeatedly, pulled her hair, hit her with the phone, choked her until she lost consciousness, and pinned her down with his knees.
After the attack, Martinez forced her into his truck, threatened to get a gun, and continued hitting her while driving. When they arrived at his cousin’s house in Port Hueneme, the victim escaped, screamed for help, and warned that Martinez was going to kill her. His family called police, and Martinez fled before officers from the Port Hueneme and Oxnard Police Departments arrived. The victim was taken to the hospital with a concussion, facial bruising, and head wounds that required staples.
Three days later, on May 20, a fire broke out at the victim’s home in Oxnard. Investigators found a gas can near the origin of the fire and video evidence showing a white pickup truck, similar to Martinez’s, in the vicinity.
Martinez was arrested on May 23 in connection to the domestic violence assault and was released on bail five days later. On June 4, police spotted him driving and attempted to stop him for the arson case. Martinez led them on a dangerous chase through Oxnard, nearly hitting pedestrians and vehicles, abandoned his moving truck, and ran. After resisting arrest and briefly pinning an officer’s arm, he was finally detained. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was found inside his truck.
Deputy District Attorney Rikole Kelly, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Domestic Violence Unit, prosecuted the case.
“While the physical and emotional scars of such a brutal attack may linger, we commend the immense resilience and courage demonstrated by the victim and her family throughout this harrowing ordeal,” said Ms. Kelly. “With the resolution of this case, we hope they can now begin the process of healing and rebuilding their lives free from fear.”
