FRANKFORT, KY – Jeremy Wayne Martinez, 28, of Cynthiana, Kentucky, will spend the next 17 and a half years behind bars after being sentenced today to 210 months in federal prison for attempting to exploit children online. U.S. District Judge Gregory F. Van Tatenhove handed down the sentence following Martinez’s guilty plea last October.
The case, a chilling example of online predation, unfolded when Martinez posted an advertisement on Craigslist.com. An undercover law enforcement officer, posing as the mother of two young daughters – ages three and seven – responded to the ad. The ensuing communications, conducted via the Kik Messenger app, quickly revealed Martinez’s disturbing intentions. He explicitly expressed interest in sexual contact with both of the fictitious minors.
The investigation, a joint effort between the U.S. Secret Service and the Kentucky Attorney General’s Cyber Crimes Branch, led to a planned meeting on October 19, 2017, in Frankfort. Martinez traveled to the designated location, unaware he was walking into a trap. Agents arrested him at the scene, confirming his identity as the individual who had engaged in the sexually explicit online conversations with the undercover officer.
Federal sentencing guidelines require Martinez to serve at least 85% of his 210-month sentence. Upon his release from prison, he will face 25 years of supervised probation, a constant reminder of the horrific nature of his crimes. The length of the sentence sends a clear message that such predatory behavior will not be tolerated.
Robert M. Duncan, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, stated the sentence underscores the commitment of federal and state agencies to protecting vulnerable children. Richard F. Ferretti, Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Field Office of the U.S. Secret Service, and Kentucky Attorney General Andy Beshear jointly announced the sentencing, highlighting the collaborative nature of the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney David A. Marye prosecuted the case, building a solid case against Martinez based on the digital evidence collected during the investigation. The Eastern District of Kentucky continues to prioritize cases involving the exploitation of children, working tirelessly to bring predators like Martinez to justice and safeguard the innocent.
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Key Facts
- Agency: U.S. Secret Service
- Category: Cybercrime
- Source: Official Press Release
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