Michael Martinez, Cyberstalking & Child Porn, Texas 2014

Del Rio, Texas – In a disturbing case of online exploitation, 26-year-old Michael Martinez has been arrested on multiple charges involving cyberstalking, child pornography, and the enticement of a minor. The charges stem from an alleged sextortion scheme that targeted three female victims, including a minor, between October 2013 and August 2014.

According to the indictment, Martinez used the Internet and text messages to harass and intimidate his victims, threatening to post nude photographs of them online unless they continued to supply him with additional sexually explicit images. On August 21, 2014, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Martinez’s residence, seizing several computers, storage devices, and his cell phone. A forensics examination of the seized items revealed the presence of approximately a dozen images of the minor victim engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

The seven-count federal grand jury indictment charges Martinez with three counts of Internet stalking, one count of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Upon conviction, Martinez faces significant prison time, including between 10 years and life in federal prison for enticement of a minor, between 15 and 30 years imprisonment for production of child porn, and up to 10 years imprisonment for possession of child pornography.

Martinez, who remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing, is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ralph Paradiso as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

An indictment is merely a formal charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Michael Martinez, 26, of Del Rio, Texas, faces serious charges, including:

Three counts of Internet stalking
Production of child pornography
Receipt of child pornography
Possession of child pornography
Coercion and enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity

Arrest Date: August 17, 2015

City and State: Del Rio, Texas

Outcome: Martinez remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of online exploitation and the importance of vigilance in protecting our children. We urge anyone with information about similar cases to come forward and report it to the authorities.

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