Ray Martinez Files Notice of Appeal After 10-Year Sentence in Mon Ethos Corruption Case

Former Virgin Islands Police Commissioner Ray Martinez has filed notice of his intent to appeal the 10-year sentence handed down last week following his conviction on honest services wire fraud, bribery, money laundering and obstruction of justice charges.

Mr. Martinez announced the appeal Monday through a one-page notice filed in District Court. Apart from that filing, the appeal had not yet appeared on the public docket of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Once docketed, the matter will be scheduled for review by appellate judges.

The notice comes days after Mr. Martinez appeared before District Court Judge Mark Kearney for sentencing. During last Tuesday's hearing, the former police commissioner cried before the court and apologized to his family, the VIPD fraternity and the people of the territory. He asked the court for mercy, saying the case had left his family shattered.

Judge Kearney imposed a 120-month sentence, a term well above what the defense had sought but far below the 24 years requested by federal prosecutors. The judge said the sentence accounted for both Mr. Martinez’s long record of public service and the seriousness of a senior public official using his position in a scheme that damaged public trust.