Convicted felon flees authorities after ‘physical altercation’ during sentencing hearing

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) has confirmed that a convicted felon escaped authorities after a “physical altercation” occurred during a court hearing Tuesday morning.

Jerel Valdez Martin, a 35-year-old man, was sentenced to serve five years in state prison in connection with a case that charged him with two felonies; one for possession of a firearm as a felon, and another for possession or sale of drugs. Moments after the sentence was handed down on Tuesday, Martin fled the Hennepin County courtroom.

According to the HCSO, prosecutors approached the bench after the judge delivered the sentence. At that time, a woman who accompanied Martin to court reportedly gave him a phone despite sheriff’s deputies telling her not to do so. When deputies asked Martin for the phone, a “physical altercation” began.

A spokesperson with the sheriff’s office confirmed that “Martin was able to break away from the deputies and fled out of the courtroom and down the stairs without a shirt or shoes.” The spokesperson described Martin as “out of custody” at the time of the hearing.

Now, a warrant has been issued for Martin’s arrest. Authorities are asking the public to call 911 if they see Martin or have knowledge of his whereabouts. The HCSO says Martin is a 5’7″ black male with black hair who weighs 135 lbs.

According to the criminal complaint against Martin, the 35-year-old has previously been convicted of aggravated robbery in the 1st degree, a felony, and received federal felony convictions for unlawful transportation of a firearm and felon in possession of a firearm.

Martin has also been convicted of possessing a pistol in a public space without a permit, a gross misdemeanor.

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