Dallas man facing federal gun charges for threatening to kill daughter’s mother, “shoot up” local daycare facility

DALLAS, Texas — A Dallas man, and previously convicted felon, is facing federal gun charges for allegedly threatening to kill his daughter’s mother and “shoot up” her daycare facility.

28-year-old Joshua Martinez, who was previously convicted in a 2010 robbery, was charged via a federal criminal complaint with being a felon in possession of a firearm.

According to the complaint, Martinez allegedly called his daughter’s mother on February 6, 2020, and threatened to kill her and “shoot up” his four-year-old daughter’s daycare facility.

The woman took a screenshot of the video call with Martinez, who was seen brandishing a Glock handgun with a laser-light attachment.

Martinez led police on a high-speed chase throughout northwest Dallas before his apprehension. Police officers then retraced the route of the chase and found a Glock 22 in the roadway matching the screenshot from the video.

“After waiving his Miranda rights, Mr. Martinez allegedly confessed to possessing the firearm, which had been reported stolen,” read a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of Texas.

If convicted, Martinez faces up to 20 years in federal prison. He is being held at the Kaufman County Jail.

“This defendant allegedly threatened our city’s most precious, our most vulnerable,” stated U.S. Attorney Nealy Cox. “A formerly convicted felon, he was not legally permitted to possess firearms. We’re thankful law enforcement was able to get this man and his gun off the streets before tragedy could strike.”

“The FBI-led Dallas Violent Gangs Safe Streets Task Force is a great example of how agencies working together can prevent violent crime in our communities,” stated FBI Dallas Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. DeSarno. “The task force is focused on finding ways to effectively prevent individuals from committing acts of violence. This includes using federal charges when convicted felons continue to possess weapons even though they are prohibited from doing so.”