ARIZONA NEWS

Former Arizona man sentenced to prison for producing child pornography

Sep 1, 2023, 8:00 PM

judge taps gavel sentences man accused of producing child pornography law judge criminal case...

Michael Martinez, 28, sexually exploited minors when he lived in Phoenix, authorities said. (Pexels Photo)

(Pexels Photo)

PHOENIX — A man from Texas was sentenced to 40 years in prison for producing child pornography when he lived in Phoenix, authorities said.

Michael Martinez of Texas, 28, was living in a Phoenix home in January 2016 with a mother and her 7-year-old child, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona said.

Prosecutors said that during Martinez’s time as the mother’s roommate, he took sexually explicit photos and videos of her child, officials said.

Later in 2016, he moved into another residence, where he was a roommate for a woman with two children, aged 5 and 3.

Although the mother trusted him to babysit her children, Martinez took sexually explicit pictures and videos of both of them, prosecutors said.

Authorities: He targeted mothers so he could keep producing child pornography

In 2017, he moved to Texas after sexually abusing the three children, officials said. He even admitted to “engaging in sex acts” with the three young children, prosecutors said.

Gary Restaino, the United States Attorney for the District of Arizona, said the pain and harm Martinez inflicted upon the children is “irreparable.”

“The court’s sentence sends a strong message of deterrence to those who seek to hurt children,” he said in a statement.

FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Myron Byrd hoped this sentencing would bring justice to the victims.

“Children deserve to feel and be safe in their homes,” he said in a statement. “Today’s sentencing should bring some closure to the families knowing this predator will be in federal prison for a very long time.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

(Bissell Pet Foundation photos)...

KTAR.com

Valley kennels taking part in ‘Empty the Shelters’ adoption discount event

Several Valley and state shelters will participate in a national reduced-fee pet adoption event in October.

12 minutes ago

From left, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Vice ...

Associated Press

Republican hopefuls face growing urgency to stop Donald Trump entering 2nd debate

Republicans are meeting for their second presidential debate on Wednesday as Donald Trump's top rivals seek to blunt the momentum of the former president.

2 hours ago

caution tape near a crime scene...

KTAR.com

Man hospitalized after being stabbed in Phoenix, no suspects detained

Phoenix police are searching for suspects involved in a stabbing after a man was hospitalized Tuesday night, authorities said. 

4 hours ago

Cloud seeding...

Luke Forstner

In the right conditions, cloud seeding can provide water source for Arizona

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s last Water Watch Minute was about cloud seeding: how the technology works and how it has the potential to shore up water supplies, as long as specific conditions are met.

5 hours ago

Arizona's Secretary of State Adrian Fontes...

Brandon Gray

Report: Arizona sees high turnover of local election officials since 2020 presidential election

A new report from cross-partisan organization Issue One has found about 55%  of the chief local election officials are new since the November 2020 presidential election.

5 hours ago

(KTAR News Photo)...

Mike Broomhead

Amazing Arizonans: David McIntyre shares how health care affects local veteran community

On this episode of Amazing Arizonans, Mike Broomhead talks with David McIntyre, the president and CEO of Triwest Healthcare Alliance.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

DAY & NIGHT AIR CONDITIONING, HEATING AND PLUMBING

Importance of AC maintenance after Arizona’s excruciating heat wave

An air conditioning unit in Phoenix is vital to living a comfortable life inside, away from triple-digit heat.

Sanderson Ford...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford congratulates D-backs’ on drive to great first half of 2023

The Arizona Diamondbacks just completed a red-hot first half of the major league season, and Sanderson Ford wants to send its congratulations to the ballclub.

...

Ability360

At Ability360, every day is Independence Day

With 100 different programs and services, more than 1,500 non-medically based home care staff, a world-renowned Sports & Fitness Center and over 15,000 people with disabilities served annually, across all ages and demographics, Ability360 is a nationwide leader in the disability community.

Former Arizona man sentenced to prison for producing child pornography