Deputy tries erasing video of him kidnapping, sexually assaulting crash victim, feds say

[Judi Lynn]

BY JULIA MARNIN
SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 3:24 PM

A deputy in New Mexico detained a car crash victim, kidnapped and sexually assaulted her in the back of his patrol car as she was handcuffed, according to federal prosecutors and court documents.

The now-fired Doña Ana County sheriff’s deputy, Michael Andrew Martinez, 33, turned off his body-worn camera during the April 30 assault — but the camera mounted in his patrol car was recording, a criminal complaint filed in federal court says.

When Martinez realized this, he sought to erase the video, which officials said captured him repeatedly groping the woman, according to an affidavit. He had detained the woman that day after accusing her of being under the influence when she crashed into a tree in Doña Ana County, the affidavit said.

Two days later, on May 2, he reported to the sheriff’s office that someone broke into his patrol car, stole his body camera and “severely damaged” the vehicle’s camera, Doña Ana County Sheriff Kim Stewart said at a news conference streamed by KFOX-TV.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article279645519.html

[Demovictory9]

1. Investigators have also reviewed 300 hours of body camera footage, 29 arrests and 250 citations and

Investigators have also reviewed 300 hours of body camera footage, 29 arrests and 250 citations and contacted people who encountered Martinez but were also let off with a warning.

“We’re fairly confident that if there are additional victims from Mr. Martinez’ activities, they haven’t yet come forward,” Stewart said.

Martinez used to work for the New Mexico State Police and the Hatch Police Department, the U.S. attorney's office said, and anyone else who may have been victimized is being asked to call the FBI.

Martinez was with state police from March 24, 2018, until May 15, 2020, a spokesperson for the agency said.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-new-mexico-deputy-accused-handcuffing-sexual-assaulting-woman-rcna111489

[Martin68]

2. Very strange quote in the story: "We're fairly confident that if there are additional victims from

Mr. Martinez’ activities, they haven’t yet come forward,” Well....duh! If they'd come forward, they would know about it. Perhaps they meant to say, "There may be additional victims who haven't come forward."