Court dates are now on the docket for the Oklahoma couple accused of prompting a lockdown at Emporia’s Hobby Lobby and several nearby schools.
Lyon County District Court has now released the formal legal complaints against both individuals. Jose Omar Avelar Martinez, 24, of Guymon, Oklahoma, faces charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; possession of cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine and Xanax; possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use and felon in possession of a weapon.
Jennifer Guerrero, 18, also of Guymon, has been charged with Xanax distribution; possession of cocaine, marijuana and methamphetamine; and paraphernalia possession with intent to use.
Affidavits provided to KVOE News corroborate an initial statement by Emporia Police about an incident at Candlewood Suites, where a man followed one of the hotel employees out of the hotel and then drove closely behind her before the incident at Hobby Lobby. The narrative also alleged the man, later identified as Martinez, pointed a small handgun at the worker and chased her vehicle with his pickup before the woman crashed into a retaining wall in the store parking lot.
The affidavits say that following their arrests near Eureka, Martinez told authorities the couple had checked out of the Candlewood on Wednesday but returned because they had left at least 200 Xanax pills in their hotel room. Martinez initially denied pointing a gun at the housekeepers but admitted he had a gun — in violation of a 2018 conviction in Oklahoma for meth possession and burglary.
Affidavits say Guerrero initially denied any knowledge of illegal activity, saying Martinez takes Xanax for panic attacks, but the affidavits say Guerrero’s story changed about where the couple stored the Xanax and when they switched drivers before leaving Emporia. Guerrero also said Martinez wanted to go home, but the couple instead had a Google map available with directions to Arkansas City instead of Oklahoma.
One Emporia resident who was in Hobby Lobby when the lockdown developed described a strange scene when two women entered the store. Judy Conway was buying items for her oldest daughter’s upcoming graduation from Emporia State University next month.
Conway initially thought one of the women had a heart attack or other medical issue, so she walked over to see how she could help but the second woman indicated for quiet. Before law enforcement arrived, store personnel directed shoppers to the back of the store with the prospect of an active shooter underway. Police then came in to sweep the store and take witness statements, including one from Conway.
Short lockdowns also took place at Emporia High, Emporia Middle School and Timmerman Elementary. USD 253 Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Kelly Bolin says there was a so-called Level 1 incident for activity close to schools but not actually threatening the facilities. She also says she was impressed by the law enforcement response and information during the incident.
Bolin also thanked the secretarial staff, leadership teams and teachers and support staffers at the three schools for their professionalism as the case unfolded.
Level 2 lockdowns are issued by USD 253 for potentially traumatic incidents at the school like playground injuries, for example. Level 3 lockdowns are issued for active and immediate danger situations, including shooters or other intruders.
Also part of the initial law enforcement response was Sheriff Jeff Cope. He says one of the ongoing concerns for law enforcement is the handling of social media, both by authorities and the general public.
Both Guerrero and Martinez have first court appearances Monday in Lyon County District Court. Affidavits say Martinez has prior convictions for injuring or burning a public building and possession with intent within 1,000 feet of a school.
With court cases now developing, we’ll keep you updated on KVOE and KVOE.com.
Click here for Thursday’s KVOE News coverage.
Click here for Wednesday’s KVOE News coverage.
