A former New Mexico sheriff’s deputy, Michael A. Martinez, 34, pleaded guilty Tuesday to sexually assaulting her inside his patrol car, according to officials.
Martinez also obstructed justice by attempting to destroy his patrol car’s WatchGuard DVR system, which had recorded footage from his patrol car’s internal cameras of the sexual assault, according to officials.
A sentencing hearing will be set at a later date. Martinez faces up to 10 years in prison.
(News Report 2023)
According to the plea agreement, at the time of the offense, Martinez worked as sheriff’s deputy for the Doña Ana Sheriff’s Office in Doña Ana County, New Mexico.
On April 30, 2023, Martinez responded to a car accident and placed the victim under arrest for driving while intoxicated and careless driving.
Martinez transported the victim to a medical center. After the victim received medical clearance, he handcuffed her hands behind her back and put her back inside his patrol car, where he began sexually assaulting her.
Afterward, he transported her to the Doña Ana Detention Center.
Several hours later, Martinez attempted to physically destroy his patrol car’s WatchGuard DVR system, which is the patrol car’s internal video camera system.
Martinez correctly believed that the DVR system contained a video recording of him sexually assaulting the victim in the backseat of his patrol car and attempted to destroy and conceal that recording from any future investigation.
“Police sexual violence targeting women in their custody are heinous crimes that have no place in our society,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This defendant weaponized his authority, exploited the power of his badge, handcuffed the victim and assaulted her in the backseat of his vehicle. We cannot and must not normalize police sexual violence and exploitation.”
Adding, “We encourage survivors to find the courage to come forward and report these crimes to the FBI. The Justice Department stands ready to use our federal civil rights laws to seek justice and restitution for survivors of sexual misconduct by law enforcement officers and others who abuse their authority.”
“Civil rights violations, particularly when they involve a member of law enforcement, are of tremendous concern,” said Special Agent in Charge Raul Bujanda of the FBI Albuquerque Field Office. “The entire law enforcement profession is tarnished when an officer betrays the oath to protect and serve.”
The FBI Albuquerque Field Office, Las Cruces Resident Agency, investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matilda Villalobos for the District of New Mexico and Trial Attorney Laura Gilson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are prosecuting the case.