SEDGWICK COUNTY —A murder suspect captured by the U.S. Border Patrol and extradited to Kansas has been sentenced.
This week, 32-year-old Patricio Gomez was sentenced to life in prison the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Michael Martinez at a Wichita hotel in 2021, according to the Sedgwick County District Attorney's office.
In January, a jury found Gomez guilty of first degree murder and attempted distribution of methamphetamine.
In March of 2022, U.S. Border Patrol Agents in the El Paso Sector arrested Gomez who was wanted for murder in Wichita.
The El Paso Station Border Patrol Agent encountered Gomez walking along the south side of the Border Barrier near Fonseca Drive and Cesar E. Chavez/Border Highway, according to a media release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
When agents questioned Gomez as to his citizenship, he stated that he was a U.S. citizen and that he had just entered the United States from Mexico, illegally, by attempting to drive his truck across the Rio Grande.
Gomez, was taken into custody, for the illegal entry, and transported to a Border Patrol station for further investigation. Record checks revealed that he had an extensive criminal history and an active warrant out of Wichita for murder.
Gomez was remanded to the custody of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office until his extradition to Wichita.
On Sept. 30, 2021. police responded to a shooting call at a hotel in the 9400 block of East Corporate Hills, according to Officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, officers located Martinez who had been shot. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.