Man charged with killing Kentucky teen entered US illegally in 2021, feds say

Christopher Leach, Lexington Herald-Leader on Jul 23, 2025

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A murder suspect charged with killing a 15-year-old Rowan County, Kentucky, boy who intervened in the sexual assault of his mother entered the United States illegally in 2021, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Gildardo Martinez, 36, was charged July 20 with murder, first-degree assault and attempted rape. Court documents say he shot two juveniles, fatally shooting Luis Jocsan Nanez Lopez and injuring his sister, at an apartment in the 400 block of West Sun Street in Morehead.

The incident began when Martinez tried to sexually assault his girlfriend, the children’s mother, but Luis intervened, according to court documents.

Luis would have been a sophomore at Rowan County High School this year, said county coroner John Northcutt.

Martinez was arrested hours after the incident Sunday, and the Herald-Leader learned on Tuesday that he had a federal immigration detainer, according to Rowan County jail officials.

The detainer meant federal officials had probable cause to suspect he was in the U.S. illegally, and he could be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement when his case is resolved.

Homeland Security confirmed Wednesday that Martinez was in the country illegally, entering sometime in 2021. He tried to enter the country three times at the southern border in 2021 and was successful on his third attempt.

The exact date and location of Martinez’s third attempt to enter the U.S. was unclear Wednesday. Homeland Security said he entered without an immigration officer.

“Gildardo Amandor-Martinez is a rapist and cold-blooded killer who should have never been in this country,” Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a news release.

Martinez is being held on $1 million bond at the Rowan County Detention Center. His next scheduled court appearance is Monday, July 28, for a preliminary hearing.

Rowan County District Judge William Roberts, who is presiding over the case, did not return a request for comment on the case. Martinez’ attorney, Chris Crigler, also has not returned a request for comment.

Martinez was cited for not having a driver’s license in 2023

Martinez had no prior criminal history before his July 20 arrest, but in 2023, he was pulled over for driving with an expired temporary tag in Jefferson County, according to court records.

Martinez told the officer he did not have a driver’s license or an insurance card, and he was ultimately found guilty only of an amended charge of driving without a license. He paid a $50 fine, according to court records.

The judge presiding over the traffic case, Jefferson County District Judge Karen Faulkner, also did not return a request for comment.

Kentucky Republicans call for accountability

Several Republican leaders in Kentucky used Martinez’s case to highlight efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

T.J. Roberts, R-Burlington, said on social media he was furious Martinez had the chance to hurt someone, and he blamed Louisville officials for failing to act on Martinez’s residency status when he was pulled over in 2023.

“While Martinez pulled the trigger, Louisville’s sanctuary policy is why he’s still here,” Roberts wrote in a post on X. “We MUST crack down on illegal immigration, BAN sanctuary cities forever, and enable citizens to hold governments that harbor illegals accountable.”

"Sanctuary city" is a term used to describe a city that does not fully cooperate with federal agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On Tuesday, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Louisville is dropping its sanctuary city policies after the Justice Department sent the city a strong written warning.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg made the decision to change policies after speaking with local immigrant leaders, according to WDRB. The leaders shared concerns about the risks of remaining on the federal sanctuary city list, including the potential for large-scale immigration raids.

“While this will not undo the damage done, the work of the DOJ Immigration Division will save lives,” Roberts said on X in response to Louisville’s decision.

The Republican Party of Kentucky also called out U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, a Democrat from Kentucky, after he released a statement showing support for all Louisvillians.

“When Morgan McGarvey is up for reelection in 2026, voters should remember one thing. He prioritized sanctuary city policies over protecting kids like the 15-year-old who was shot and killed while trying to stop his mother from being sexually assaulted,” the Kentucky Republican party wrote on X.

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican from Kentucky, also weighed in on the case.

“Crimes like this horrific murder are EXACTLY why I’ve voted to support President Trump and fund the largest deportation operation in American history,” Barr wrote on X.

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