If you’ve seen the movie Paid in Full, then you’re likely familiar with the backstory of Alpo Martinez.
The former Drug Lord was caught in 1993 after his almost two-decade reign in Washington D.C.
He was brought in due to various drug charges and conspiracy to commit murder.
Alpo Martinez was convicted for life without the possibility of parole. He was supposed to get the death sentence but later decided he would become a police informant and snitch on his former members.
Due to this, he ended up getting out in 2015 under the Witness Protection Program for testifying against multiple drug lords.
Now, it may be a bit confusing what exactly went down. While the movie Paid in Full provides some insight, it doesn’t cover the full story.
If you’re interested in finding out more, then read on.
Table of Contents
Who Was Alpo Martinez?
Albert Geddis Martinez, more commonly known as Alpo Martinez, is an American convicted murderer who also was a Drug Lord.
In 1993, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of three men in New York City.
Alpo Martinez was born in New York City, New York, on June 8, 1966. He lived until age 55 and died on October 31, 2021.
He has many known aliases, such as Alpo Martinez, Alpo, and Po, and his witness protection identity was Abraham G. Rodriquez.
Alpo Martinez History
Martinez was born in 1970 and raised in Harlem. He dropped out of school in the eighth grade and began selling drugs.
By the time he was 18, Martinez was reportedly earning up to $100,000 per week selling crack cocaine.
In 1989, Martinez was arrested for the murder of drug dealer Angelo Nesbitt. Martinez was tried and acquitted of the crime.
In 1992, Martinez was arrested for the murder of another drug dealer, Richard Rojas. Martinez was again tried and acquitted.
The following year, Martinez was arrested for the murders of three men: drug dealers Jamal Copeland and Michael Pace and Pace’s cousin, Ronald Spear.
Martinez was convicted of the murders and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
What Were Alpo Martinez’s Convictions?
Alpo Martinez had a handful of convictions, as he was a famous Drug Lord. He reigned in multiple regions in the United States.
He was mostly known for his terror in New York but later was caught during his reign in Washington D.C.
Alpo Martinez had multiple convictions, including the following:
Murder
Conspiracy to commit murder
Various drug charges
However, he ended up being charged with the following:
14 counts of murder
1 count of conspiracy to commit murder
and several accounts of drug charges
How Much Time Did Alpo Martinez Get?
Martinez was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of three men in New York City.
However, his total murder count was 14.
While life in prison without the possibility of parole technically means that Martinez will spend the rest of his life in prison, he ended up getting released in 2015 while serving his sentence.
How Did He Get Out?
In 2015, Martinez was released from prison after serving 22 years of his sentence. He was imprisoned at the prison in Attica, New York.
He was transferred to a lower-security Pennsylvania facility and a halfway house in Brooklyn.
Facing the death penalty, Martinez decided that instead of the death penalty, he would turn into an informant.
He later testified against others in his drug ring, leading to multiple arrests.
Martinez sold out his former associate Perry, who was convicted of five life sentences without parole.
After that, he entered the Witness Protection Program after leaving the WITSEC FCI federal prison in 2015.
His undercover name was Abraham G. Rodriquez. However, there is no confirmation of whether this is true.
It is assumed that he died shortly in 2021.
How Did Alpo Martinez Die?
According to reports, Alpo Martinez died on October 31, 2021. He was sitting in his Dodge Ram in Harlem, New York.
Soon after, he was shot at gunpoint.
It’s not confirmed who shot him. However, rumors say it was most likely a drug deal gone wrong.
Martinez had been out of prison for six years at his death.
Why Was Alpo Martinez Arrested?
Alpo was arrested in Washington D.C. while selling drugs on November 7, 1991. Aside from that, he was also taken in with the conspiracy to commit a planned murder.
However, it had already been confirmed that he had numerous drug charges and was dealing. He was later proved to have committed 14 counts of murder relating to drug wars and possession.
Martinez murdered other drug dealers, such as Michael Anothony Salters, known by his street name “Fray.”
He also murdered another drug dealer, Demencio Benson, located in Brooklyn.
What Happened to Alpo Martinez’s Family?
It’s unclear what happened to Martinez’s family after his death. His wife, Lisa, divorced him while he was in prison.
It’s unclear if they had any children together.
Martinez’s mother, Carmen, died in 2009. His father, Alberto Sr., is still alive and lives in New York City.
Martinez also has a sister, Sonia, and a brother, Alberto Jr. It’s unclear if they have any children.
Movie Paid in Full
Paid in Full is a 2002 film inspired by Martinez’s life. It stars Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, and Cam’ron.
The movie’s story is about a young Harlem drug dealer who becomes an informant.
The film was a commercial and critical success. It grossed $30 million against its $13 million budget and received positive reviews from critics.
It’s highly worth a watch due to its great story and acting. We suggest trying it if you’re interested in Alpo Martinez’s story.
However, the accuracy of the story isn’t confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions: Alpo Martinez
What happened to Alpo Martinez?
Alpo Martinez died on October 31, 2021. He was sitting in his Dodge Ram in Harlem, New York, when he was shot at gunpoint.
It was likely a drug trade gone wrong, but there are no confirmations, and no one was caught for his murder.
How old was Alpo Martinez when he died?
Alpo Martinez died when he was 55. He was convicted and imprisoned for 22 years before being released in 2015.
A few years later, he passed away after being shot with a gun in a suspected drug trade gone wrong.
Where is Alpo Martinez?
Alpo Martinez is deceased. He died on October 31, 2021, in Harlem, New York. Many believe he is still serving a life sentence, but that’s not true.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Alpo Martinez was a famous drug lord in the early 1990s. He was eventually arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment.
However, he only served 22 years before being released in 2015.
A few years later, he passed away after being shot during a suspected drug trade gone wrong.
If you want to learn more about his story, we suggest watching the 2002 film Paid in Full. Thank you for reading!
