Former New York City Police Officer Sentenced to 15 Years for Sexual Exploitation of Two Minors and Possession and Receipt of Child Pornography

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Timothy Martinez was sentenced by United States District Judge Frederic Block to 15 years in prison for two counts of sexual exploitation and attempted sexual exploitation of a minor, one count of attempted receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.  Martinez was employed as a police officer by the New York City Police Department and immediately prior to his arrest, was a sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves.  Martinez was convicted by a federal jury in May 2023 following a one-week trial.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ivan J. Arvelo, Special Agent-in-Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York, and Edward A. Caban, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“The defendant, a former New York City police officer and an Army reservist, was a predator hiding in plain sight, who preyed on vulnerable victims he believed had been sexually abused,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “For these unconscionable, disgraceful crimes, today’s substantial jail sentence is not only well-deserved, but necessary to protect the community.”

“As a police officer, Timothy Martinez pledged to keep the people of New York City safe from predators, but instead became one himself. Today, justice is served as he finds himself behind bars," stated HSI New York Special Agent-in-Charge Arvelo. “HSI New York is proud to have had a hand in taking this dangerous man off the streets.”

“Today’s sentence sends the unequivocal message that no one is above the law,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban.  “Mr. Martinez’ reprehensible behavior violated his sworn oath as a police officer, breached the public trust, and tarnished the shield he once wore. The NYPD and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to identify and hold accountable all such criminal predators. I thank HSI and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York for their important work on this case.”

Between October 2016 to March 2017, Martinez engaged in live video sex chats with Jane Doe-1, who was then 16-years old.  Additionally, between September 3, 2012, and November 2016, Martinez engaged in live video sex chats with Jane Doe-2, starting when she was 13-years old.  During some of those video chats, he convinced both Jane Doe-1 and Jane Doe-2 to show him their nude bodies and perform sexual acts.  Martinez also attempted to purchase child pornography from an individual who he believed was a 14-year-old girl.  Finally, Martinez possessed hundreds of still images and several videos of child pornography, including images and videos of known victims of child abuse. 

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.  Led by United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Department of Justice Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.  For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov

Assistant United States Attorneys William P. Campos and Chand W. Edwards-Balfour are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Allison Henry and the Victim Witness Team including Coordinator Lisa Foster, Lillian Tejada and Gladian Rivera.

The Defendant:

TIMOTHY MARTINEZ
Age:  43
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-98 (S-2) (FB)