FBI: Video shows Doña Ana Sheriff’s deputy sexually assaulting a woman in his police car
This article discusses sexual assault. If you or someone you know experiences sexual violence, you can find local support via La Piñon's 24-Hour Crisis Hotline at 575-526-3437 or go to www.lapinon.org.
A Doña Ana County Sheriff's deputy faces federal charges after the FBI said he kidnapped and sexually assaulted a woman during an arrest near Las Cruces.
Michael Andrew Martinez, 33, was charged with deprivation of rights under the color of law and obstruction of justice. He was terminated from DASO on Aug. 30, according to the FBI in an affidavit.
Martinez remains in jail as of the publication of this article. He was scheduled for a first appearance in federal court on Thursday.
FBI says Martinez lied in police report, falsely reported break-in to cover up evidence
In the affidavit, the FBI said Martinez responded to a call regarding a woman who crashed into a tree near Snow Road and Mesilla Dam Road southeast of Las Cruces on April 30. Martinez was in full DASO uniform in a DASO vehicle when he responded and wrote up a police report after he found that the driver was intoxicated.
Martinez said in his report that he took the woman to the sheriff's office, the hospital, and the Doña Ana County Detention Center.
Then, on May 2, Martinez reported someone had broken into his police car. A DASO sergeant responded to that call, where Martinez said someone rifled through the police unit and damaged his WatchGuard DVR system. The technology is equipped in most DASO units and features a camera that records the vehicle's interior. Martinez reported nothing else was missing.
DASO then sent the WatchGuard DVR system to Motorola, which manufactures the system, to recover the data and provide evidence about the alleged vehicle burglary. Instead, Motorola sent DASO two videos that pointed investigators back to Martinez.
Videos show Martinez assaulting driver, FBI says
The first video was dated April 30. In the affidavit, the FBI said the footage shows Martinez sexually assaulting the woman as she was handcuffed and seat-belted in Martinez's passenger seat. The second video shows Martinez walking back and forth between his car and his home, with loud crashing sounds in between.
Another deputy told the FBI they believed that Martinez was wearing his body camera but had intentionally disconnected it so that it would not record the assault, according to the affidavit.
Justin Garcia covers public safety and local government in Las Cruces. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com, via phone or text at 575-541-5449, or on Twitter @Just516Garc.
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Doña Ana Sheriff’s deputy accused of kidnapping, assaulting woman
