Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Martin, Pardoned for Jan. 6, Sent to Lompoc Prison on Gun Charge Conviction
David Website Replacement
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 3 months ago on
February 7, 2025

Ben Martin was transferred Friday to the federal prison at Lompoc to start serving his sentence. (GV Wire Composite)

Share

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Federal authorities transferred Benjamin Martin to a prison early Friday morning in Lompoc to start serving 38 months for gun-related charges.

Martin, the Madera County man convicted on Jan. 6-related offenses, was also convicted of a gun offense in a different trial.

“We can confirm Benjamin Martin is in the custody of the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Lompoc,” FBOP spokesperson Donald Murphy told GV Wire.

Martin faced two federal trials last year — for his actions on Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol; and a subsequent gun charge. He was found guilty both times.

A one-time local real estate agent, Martin became well known for his conservative activism, often protesting at stores during the pandemic because of restrictive policies.

Guilty in Two Federal Court Cases

Last June, a federal jury in Washington, D.C., convicted him of two felonies and several misdemeanors for his role in the attack on the Capitol. Investigators accused Martin of holding a door open while others entered.

Last September, Fresno-based federal Judge Jennifer Thurston found Martin guilty of a gun-related offense stemming from the FBI’s Jan. 6 investigation. Law enforcement officers found firearms in the safe of Martin’s home in Madera County.

Because of a previous state court conviction in 2018 for domestic violence, Martin was not allowed to possess firearms. He claimed the firearms belonged to his fiancée and her father.

Martin received 13 months for the Jan. 6 crimes and 38 months for the gun offense.

After surrendering to federal authorities on Jan. 21, U.S. marshals transferred Martin to a holding facility in McFarland, operated by the GEO Group, before his transfer this morning.

In an executive order in his first day in office, President Donald Trump granted a “complete and unconditional pardon to all other individuals convicted of offenses related to events that occurred at or near the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021.”

Martin’s family posted an image of the pardon that came through on Feb. 5 on his existing X profile. Neither federal authorities nor attorney Nate Miller, representing the Martin family, would confirm its authenticity.

With the Jan. 6 pardon, Martin would only serve the 38-month sentence, less any time for good behavior.

Martin has appealed his gun-related case to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal. The case is pending.

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

DON'T MISS

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

DON'T MISS

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

DON'T MISS

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

DON'T MISS

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

DON'T MISS

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

DON'T MISS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

DON'T MISS

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

DON'T MISS

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

DON'T MISS

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

UP NEXT

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

UP NEXT

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

UP NEXT

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

UP NEXT

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

UP NEXT

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

UP NEXT

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

1 day ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

1 day ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

1 day ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

1 day ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

1 day ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

1 day ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

1 day ago

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

1 day ago

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

1 day ago

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

1 day ago

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

Fresno City and County Historical Society is hosting two celebrations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. A Mother’s Day Tea Party invites gu...

12 hours ago

12 hours ago

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

1 day ago

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

1 day ago

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

1 day ago

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

1 day ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

1 day ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

1 day ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

1 day ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend