Enrique Martinez is seen here, escorted by deputies. He is suspected in the murder of Sierra Hernandez (inset). (Images: Polk County Sheriff’s Office)
Authorities announced that they arrested the man implicated in two separate murders after Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd in Florida said that law enforcement found Enrique Martinez, 26, “casually walking down the sidewalk.”
Documents indicated that the suspect fled but later surrendered after briefly fleeing into a fenced-in, wooded area.
The defendant shot and killed Edil Rodriguez Jr., 33, at a homeless camp on Nov. 8, 2023, law enforcement said in an affidavit obtained by Law&Crime. Then, he allegedly played a role in murdering Sierra Hernandez, 20, who was reported missing on Jan. 14, 2024. Polk County sheriff’s spokesman Brian Bruchey told Law&Crime on Thursday morning that they do not yet have an affidavit against Martinez in the young woman’s disappearance and death because it remains under investigation.
However, Daphne Fernandez, 44, was arrested as an accessory after the fact for the offense of first-degree murder in connection with Hernandez’s death, documents show. Deputies said they found her driving Hernandez’s car on Jan. 15, and she claimed the missing young woman had been staying at her home and then left on Jan. 12 with a man named “Richard.”
“Daphne deflected many questions from the arresting deputy on how she came into possession of the vehicle and her relationship to Sierra,” police documents said.
A male witness described previously walking in on Martinez and Fernandez at Fernandez’s home while Sierra Hernandez was bound at the hands and feet. He fled when Martinez charged at him, and he hid in the woods for several days because he was afraid of him, documents said.
Investigators claimed to find a large burn pile, including human remains, in Fernandez’s backyard.
Regarding the Rodriguez shooting, authorities said they found no sign of a struggle in the tent where it happened on Nov. 8, 2023.
“Through my investigation I learned the suspect, Enrique Martinez Jr, came to the tent the victim was hanging out in,” the affiant wrote. “The suspect entered the tent and asked the victim to step outside. The victim refused to do so. The victim then stood up and at that time the suspect pulled a firearm, pointed it at the victim, said his name, and fired three shots which ended up killing the victim. The suspect then fled the area on his bicycle.”
A witness described screaming for help as Rodriguez died in her arms. She identified Martinez through a photograph that investigators showed her, the affidavit said. She said she had known him since August and often saw him around camp.
Another witness, who said she was in a relationship with Martinez for about a week, said she was outside the tent when it happened.
“WITNESS2 stated her and the suspect were hanging out at another camp on the east side of the railroad tracks,” deputies wrote. “After leaving that campsite, the suspect went to get his bicycle and go to another campsite. WITNESS2 went back to her tent which is the crime scene to get a flashlight.”
She stepped out of the tent to see Martinez talking to his brother in Spanish.
“WITNESS2 began to walk away and as she did the suspect asked if the victim was inside the tent, to which WITNESS2 replied ‘yes,’” deputies wrote. “WITNESS2 then went on to tell the suspect ‘don’t start no s—‘. WITNESS2 advised the suspect walked over to the tent and she could hear a conversation being had. Next thing WITNESS2 heard was multiple gunshots. WITNESS2 ran over to the tent and observed the suspect walking away with a gun in his right hand. WITNESS2 began yelling ‘why would you do this’ and ‘I hate you’. The suspect then fled the area on his bicycle.”
In this matter, Martinez was sought for first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence.
Now, about two months later, he is accused of another homicide.
Hernandez’s mother reported her missing on Jan. 14, telling authorities she last saw her daughter on Jan. 4.
Sierra’s father, Christopher Hernandez, and four other loved ones were arrested while looking for her body but prosecutors soon dropped the case.
“A text came in, and the text said, ‘girl dead, body burned in yard,’” Sierra’s cousin Trey Stokes told Tampa NBC affiliate WFLA. “I believe they had an address that was given to them.”
Describing frustration with the sheriff’s office’s investigation, the five people went to that home. The sheriff’s office reportedly said in an affidavit that investigators were already doing surveillance at the residence.
“We’re not going to sit back and be told don’t do it, so, we done it,” Christopher Hernandez told the outlet after his release. “Look at where it ended us up, was it worth it? It was worth it. I would do it again.”
Jake Orr, an assistant state attorney for the 10th Judicial Circuit, confirmed to Law&Crime that they dropped the case, but he declined to elaborate further because of the ongoing investigation.
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