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Press Release

San Antonio Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Production of Child Pornography

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas

SAN ANTONIO – A San Antonio man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for production of child pornography.

According to court documents, on December 1, 2020, officers from the San Antonio Police Department were called regarding a complaint that Michael Anthony Martinez Jr., 34, had video of child pornography on his cellular phone.  A search warrant was executed on Martinez’s phone and numerous files depicting prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit conduct were found.  Also on the phone was a video Martinez filmed showing him sexually abusing a two-year-old child.

On April 7, 2022, Martinez pleaded guilty to one count of production of child pornography.  Martinez has been in federal custody since his arrest on March 8, 2021. 

“As a society, we must vigilantly protect the innocence and health of our children,” said Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristy Callahan.  “This defendant was caught only because someone had the courage to report him and protect a child from a dangerous predator.  For the sake of our future generations, we must let authorities know when suspected child abuse is occurring.”

“The horrible acts perpetrated by those who exploit and victimize innocent children demand justice, and that’s why the FBI works tirelessly every day with our law enforcement partners on these cases,” said FBI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Oliver E. Rich Jr. “This sentencing is a reminder of our continued focus on holding these dangerous predators accountable.”

The FBI and the San Antonio Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracy Thompson prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.

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Updated August 8, 2022

Topic
Project Safe Childhood