READING, Pa. – A man wanted in connection with a string of fatal drug overdoses nearly four years ago is behind bars.
Authorities confirm 37-year-old Jesus Martinez-Espinal of Reading was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals and arraigned on multiple counts of drug delivery resulting in death, conspiracy and related offenses.
“He was wanted for delivery resulting in death, multiple counts, and the case was sent over to our fugitive task force in Reading,” said Robert Clark, U.S. Marshals Eastern PA Violent Crime Fugitive Task Force. “June 20th we were able to apprehend Mr. Martinez in Charlottesville, N.C. He was found at a family member’s residence. He had local charges for theft down in Charlottesville, so it took us a little while to get him back.”
Between April 9 and April 15, 2022, police responded to 11 overdoses where the victims were either found dead or died in the days that followed.
Jesus Martinez-Espinal
Berks Couty Sheriff’s Office
Reading Police Department launched an investigation and eventually issued arrest warrants for Melanie Emerich, Jesus Santiago-Caceres and Martinez-Espinal.
A fourth person, who was unidentified at the time of the incidents, but whom police eventually determined was Angelo Torres, was charged and taken into custody in January 2025.
“This is just a great collaborative effort. A long-term investigation for us with the assistance of the Reading Police Department. Our investigators are the best in the world at finding people who don’t want to be found and our investigators in Reading are always happy to support our Berks County law enforcement partners.”Â
Martinez-Espinal is in Berks County Jail on $1,000,000 bail.
He’s scheduled back in court for a preliminary hearing on January 30.