Hamilton County Detective Arrests Dean Allen Martinez for Trespassing and Theft at Former Army Ammunition Plant

A Hamilton County Sheriff's detective arrested Dean Allen Martinez, 58, for trespassing and theft at the former Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant. The arrest occurred after the detective noticed fresh tire tracks and a truck loaded with stolen high voltage wiring on the property. Since 2024, the site has been plagued by unlawful entries, leading to significant vandalism and theft, with damages now estimated in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Martinez admitted to entering through cut locks and chains, intending to scrap materials. He faces multiple charges, including aggravated criminal trespassing and critical infrastructure vandalism.

Local authorities are concerned about the ongoing issues at the site and are seeking measures to enhance security. The situation highlights the challenges of protecting abandoned properties from criminal activity.