Ernesto Martinez

Name:
Martinez, Ernesto Bustamante

Date of Booking:
03/18/2026

Reason(s) For Booking:
Aggravated Battery

Aggravated Assault

Battery – Family Violence

Criminal Damage To Property – 1st Degree

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 3/18/26 at 0142 hours I was dispatched to 601 S 8th St in non-emergency mode due to a domestic disturbance that occurred at [700 BLOCK] W Poplar St APT-[REDACTED]. Upon arrival I met with victim / [VICTIM #1] whom was a patient in room [REDACTED] of WellStar Spalding Regional Hospital.

As I approached [VICTIM #1], I immediately noticed [VICTIM #1] to be covered in scratches, edema, as well as her right arm being in an orthopedic sling. Once introducing myself, it was also obvious [VICTIM #1] was emotionally distraught and shivering in fear,

[VICTIM #1] advised she was at a concert in Atlanta, Ga when she got into a verbal argument with her live-in boyfriend offender / Martinez, Ernesto. [VICTIM #1] stated due to Martinez being extremely intoxicated which caused him to become disrespectful, she then left the concert as well as left Martinez behind.

[VICTIM #1] advised while lying in her bed, Martinez arrived at the residence and immediately became irate. [VICTIM #1] stated Martinez then began banging on the bedroom door which she had locked. [VICTIM #1] advised Martinez became so enraged that he violently ripped and broke the bedroom door off the hinges.

[VICTIM #1] stated after Martinez threw the dismantled door across the hallway and into another bedroom, that is when he charged at her. [VICTIM #1] advised Martinez grabbed her and proceeded to slam her onto the bedroom floor.

[VICTIM #1] stated she knew she had to defend herself so she gabbed a golf club which was lying nearby. [VICTIM #1] advised before she could defend herself, Martinez got on top of her and began striking her in the facial area with a closed fist.

[VICTIM #1] stated she began to fight back by striking Martinez into the rib cage area and that is when Martinez got off of her but was also able to take the golf club.

[VICTIM #1] advised Martinez then took the golf club and began beating her with it. [VICTIM #1] stated Martinez eventually stopped but she was in so much pain. [VICTIM #1] advised once Martinez calmed down that is when he helped her into their vehicle and transported her to the hospital,

While speaking with [VICTIM #1] she did state “Martinez has never hurt me this bad”. Once gathering the information, I then proceeded to speak with Martinez. Martinez was located in the hospital lobby / waiting area laying under a blanket on a visitor chair asleep. Once awakening Martinez whom was reeking of alcohol, I then began speaking with him about the incident.

Martinez advised [VICTIM #1] left him in Atlanta during a concert. and that was unnecessary. As I attempted to speak with Martinez about the incident, he only became concerned on why I was harassing him since “[VICTIM #1] is not pressing charges”.

I attempted several more times to speak with Martinez but Martinez advised he knew his rights and he pleads the fifth. During my questioning Martinez also made remarks about [VICTIM #1] such as that stupid b*tch”. Due to obvious injuries witnessed on [VICTIM #1] as well as Martinez having what appeared to be swelling and marks on his hands as well as knuckles indicating he was involved in a physical manner, I then placed Martinez into custody (double-lock mechanism applied).

Martinez was then placed in the rear of my assigned patrol vehicle and transported to City of Griffin Police Department where CID Inv, C. Stephens requested to speak with Martinez. Once arriving, Inv. C. Stephens quickly informed me that Martinez did not want to speak with him.

Martinez was then transported to Spalding County Sheriffs Office using the safest most direct route possible. Once arriving at the SCSO my departmental issued weapons was placed in the rear trunk of my vehicle. Martinez with all required documentation was then turned over to SCSO jail facility.

After leaving SCSO jail facility, I then met with CID as well as CSI investigators at the incident location where a search of the residence was completed (after a search warrant was obtained). Inside the residence it was obvious that a struggle had taken place.

A bedroom door was witnessed ripped from the threshold and damaged as [VICTIM #1] described. A golf club was also located in the bedroom on the bed and blood was located onto the floor. Inside the kitchen area, [VICTIM #1]’s iPhone 15 ProMax (valued at $1000 dollars) was discovered completely shattered and damaged beyond repair. A broken window was also discovered in the kitchen area.

After collecting all evidence at the incident location, I then returned back to the hospital to speak with [VICTIM #1] for some follow up questions. [VICTIM #1] informed me that her phone must have been destroyed when Martinez was throwing items across the residence / when he was hitting her. [VICTIM #1] advised she was afraid of Martinez’s family and was worried they would retaliate against her.

During my follow up investigation, [VICTIM #1] was witnessed with her entire right arm in a complete cast. It was then brought to my attention that [VICTIM #1] did receive a broken arm from when she was being struck by the golf club. [VICTIM #1] was informed of remedies and to contact Griffin Police Department for any further questions.

All evidence gathered was taken and placed into Griffin Police Department Evidence Locker. Warrants was obtained on Martinez for Aggravated Assualt, Aggravated Battery, Battery, Criminal Damage to Property and warrants were signed by Judge Grubbs.

[End of Narrative]