Former Phoenix police officer pleads guilty to 2 counts of sexual abuse while on-duty, reports say

PHOENIX – A man who worked as an officer with the Phoenix Police Department from 2019 to 2022 has pleaded guilty to on-duty sex crimes, according to reports.

ABC15 reported that 34-year-old Michael Martinez pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual abuse on Friday, Feb. 27.

The sexual abuse took place while he was working in March 2022, ABC15 reported.

A woman reported that Martinez touched her genital area when he stopped her at a hotel on March 31, 2022, pretending that it was part of a legitimate police search.

A few months later, in October 2022, he was arrested and booked into Maricopa County Jail on one count of solicitation of prostitution.

A second woman saw news of Martinez’s arrest and told Phoenix police that he had sexually abused her in March during a search as well, according to ABC15.

Martinez was ordered to be taken into custody without bond.

He is awaiting his sentencing, which is scheduled for May 1.

ABC15 said he will face prison time and at least 10 years probation.

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