Last week in federal court in Brooklyn, former New York City Police Officer Timothy Martinez was sentenced to 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of attempted receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography.
Martinez, 42, worked as a police officer at the New York City Police Department and, was a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves.
Martinez was convicted by a federal jury in May 2023 following a one-week trial.
“The defendant, a former New York City police officer and an Army reservist, was a predator hiding in plain sight, who preyed on vulnerable victims he believed had been sexually abused,” stated United States Attorney Peace.
“As a police officer, Timothy Martinez pledged to keep the people of New York City safe from predators, but instead became one himself,” stated HSI New York Special Agent-in-Charge Arvelo.
Between October 2016 and March 2017, Martinez engaged in live video sex chats with Jane Doe-1, who was then 16 years old.
Additionally, between September 3, 2012, and November 2016, Martinez engaged in live video sex chats with Jane Doe-2, starting when she was 13 years old.
During some of those video chats, he convinced both Jane Doe-1 and Jane Doe-2 to show him their nude bodies and perform sexual acts.
Martinez also attempted to purchase child pornography from a person who he believed was a 14-year-old girl.
Finally, Martinez possessed hundreds of still images and several videos of child pornography, including images and videos of known victims of child abuse.
This prosecution is 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.