Mark Martinez, 57, of Anthony, was sentenced in federal court in El Paso to life in prison plus 10 years for producing, possessing, and distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM), violating the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA), and committing a sex offense as a registered sex offender.

Martinez, previously convicted in 1991 for aggravated sexual assault of a prepubescent child, was found to be sharing CSAM within a group on the messaging app Kik. As of 2022, he was living at an address unknown to his registration officer.

In August 2022, FBI agents executed a search warrant, seizing multiple electronic devices containing CSAM. Among the evidence were photos of a female child aged five to six, videos of another minor female downloaded from WhatsApp, and chats on Telegram where Martinez admitted to sexually molesting a minor. One device held approximately 2,391 CSAM images and 138 videos, many involving prepubescent minors, and his cellphone contained an additional 50 CSAM images.

Martinez fled to Mexico without reporting to his registration officer but was arrested at the Columbus Port of Entry in New Mexico upon his return on March 3, 2023. A federal grand jury indicted him on March 22, 2023. He pleaded guilty to all five counts on August 21, 2024.

U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons called the sentence “certain this predator will never again harm another child.” FBI El Paso Special Agent in Charge John Morales emphasized the commitment of law enforcement to protect children from exploitation.

The investigation involved the FBI, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sarah Valenzuela and Lori Hughes prosecuted the case.