FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CR

TUESDAYDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2000

(202) 616-2777

WWW.USDOJ.GOV

TDD (202) 514-1888

FORMER MUSKOGEE CITY INSPECTOR SENTENCED TO 21 MONTHS IN PRISON

FOR ABUSE OF AUTHORITY AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - An eastern Oklahoma man was sentenced today to serve 21 months in prison for using his authority as a city housing inspector to take advantage of and sexually abuse African American women, announced the Justice Department. The sentence will be followed by two years of supervised release conditioned upon participation in mental health counseling.

James Martin, the former city inspector of Muskogee, Oklahoma, plead guilty on February 17, 2000 to a three count information, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Muskogee. The information included counts of obstruction of justice and civil rights charges relating to sexual assaults. The Justice Department investigated allegations that Martin, who is white, used his authority as the city inspector to gain access to the homes of African American women, whom he then sexually assaulted.

"Today's sentencing sends a very strong signal that this kind of behavior is unacceptable, especially for those in a position of authority and trust," said Bill Lann Lee, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. "I'd especially like to commend those courageous women who came forward to right this wrong, and to ensure that no other women are victimized by this man."

At the time of the guilty plea, Martin admitted to exposing himself, and grabbing one woman whom he attempted to coerce into engaging in sexual conduct in exchange for favorable rulings on building permits. He also admitted to having forcibly touched another woman's genitals against her will while he was acting in his official capacity.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated and the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case.

###

00-599