NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken custody of a Mexican national who was previously deported twice and is now facing removal from the United States for a third time after completing a federal prison sentence.
He was convicted for his role in the death of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal James Walden III, 21.
According to ICE, agents took custody of 38-year-old Martin Martinez-Ballinas on July 22 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Fort Dix, where he had been serving a sentence for illegally reentering the United States after a prior deportation.
LCpl James Ray Walden, III Obituary
PEORIA HEIGHTS – LCpl James Ray Walden, III of Peoria Heights, died at 3:42 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2017.
Jimmie was born on May 6, 1995, in Peoria, to James Ray, II and Susan Lynn (Breisacher) Walden.
He is survived by his parents, Jim and Susie; his grandparents, Barbara Breisacher, James Ray Sr. (Margie Bedwell) Walden, and Linda M. (Dale) Medley; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Jimmie was preceded in death by his grandfather, Don Breisacher, great-grandfather, Henry Walden; great-grandmother, Ida E. Walden; and his uncle, Billy Don Walden.
Jimmie graduated 9th in his class from Peoria Heights High School; he attended Bradley University on scholarship.
Jimmie soon joined the U.S. Marine Corps. and graduated from boot camp in San Diego, Ca., on April 4, 2015. He was currently stationed at Fort Meade in Maryland where he was a crypto analyst.
Jimmie loved his mother dearly. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his father. Jimmie enjoyed spending time with his friends and family. He was an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan and rooted for the New England Patriots.
ICE cites fatal 2017 conviction
ICE said Martinez-Ballinas was convicted in Maryland in 2017 of a felony automotive offense that resulted in the death of a U.S. Marine. After serving that sentence, he was removed from the United States in 2020.
“Martinez-Ballinas repeatedly and flagrantly disregarded the laws of the United States and faces deportation for the third time,” Acting Newark Field Office Director Arthur J. Wilson Jr. said.
“His conviction for an automotive offense that resulted in the tragic loss of a U.S. Marine in 2017 demonstrates a complete lack of respect for human life and our legal system,” Wilson added.
Illegal reentry led to additional federal convictions
According to ICE, Martinez-Ballinas attempted to illegally reenter the United States in 2021 but was arrested by the U.S. Border Patrol in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas.
Lance Corporal James Ray Walden III, 21, was killed on February 24, 2017, when a speeding BMW driven by Martin Martinez-Ballinas of Crofton crossed a double yellow line on Patuxent Road in Gambrills, Maryland, and struck his motorcycle. Martinez-Ballinas fled on foot, was captured hiding nearby, and was later sentenced to six years in prison.
He was convicted of illegal reentry in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and sentenced to 15 months in federal prison before being deported again in October 2022.
ICE said Martinez-Ballinas later reentered the United States again without detection and was ultimately arrested in Maryland in December 2023. After serving another federal sentence for illegal reentry, he was transferred to ICE custody at Fort Dix.
“Anyone who believes violations of U.S. immigration law are trivial or inconsequential should take note: Federal offenses carry serious consequences, and we will continue to enforce the law to protect our communities and honor those who serve our nation,” Wilson said.
Martinez-Ballinas remains in ICE custody in New Jersey pending immigration proceedings and his third removal from the United States.
