A former Monroe police officer has been charged by the Snohomish County Prosecutor with multiple counts of criminal sexual misconduct following more than a year of investigation by the Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children’s Task Force (MECTF).
MECTF’s investigation revealed that 58-year old Carlos Martinez had a long term sexual relationship that began when his victim was 14 and continued for nearly 10 years.
Martinez was employed as a sergeant with the Monroe Police Department until 2009, and the investigation revealed Martinez used his position of authority as a law enforcement officer to isolate and manipulate the young girl into the relationship. The investigation revealed that Martinez had photographed the minor victim without her knowledge and consent when she used the bathroom, and after a sexual relationship developed, continued to photograph the minor victim while involved in sexually explicit conduct. The victim is now 24 years old.
MCTEF detectives began the investigation in March 2012 after being alerted of the allegations after an FBI Task force had arrested Martinez on unrelated charges in San Antonio, TX.
WSP detectives conducted an exhaustive investigation, which included the examination of computer hard drives, VHS tapes, and dozens of interviews with witnesses and potential victims. As a result of the investigation, the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office has charged Martinez with:
• Child Molestation 3rd Degree – Class C Felony
• Voyeurism – Class C Felony
• Sexual Exploitation of a Minor – Class B Felony
WSP has information that there may be additional victims. The WSP encourages anyone believing they may have been a victim of Martinez to contact MECTF detectives at 360-704-2400.
