No bail for accused babysitter after he calls victim
OAK HARBOR, Wash. - A 21-year-old babysitter accused of preying on young children he met at church must remain behind bars until his trial, a judge ruled after learning the man had attempted to contact several of his victims by phone and mail.
Nathan Martinez, who has been charged with 30 sex crimes ranging from child rape to molestation, had been ordered by the court to have no contact with his victims or anyone under the age of 18.
But officials recently learned that he had called one of the victims from jail and sent three letters to four of the children and their parents. The letters were sent to Martinez's sister, and she delivered them to at least two of the families.
In an emergency hearing on Wednesday, Island County Superior Court Judge Alan R. Hancock ordered that Martinez's $250,000 bail be revoked, and ordered him held without bail until his trial.
In addition, prosecutors asked that Martinez be banned from making phone calls from the jail, except to his attorney, and that he have no contact with the victim's parents, his sister or the church pastors unless accompanied by his attorney. The judge granted all these requests.
Martinez previously admitted to molesting three boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 12 since June 2007. He had been babysitting the children at the time.
He pleaded not guilty on Monday despite the partial confession he gave to investigators.
At least 14 alleged victims have come forward, and investigators believe there may be more.
Martinez, who told police he himself had been abused as a child for more than a decade, volunteered as a youth counselor at the Living Faith Christian Center, teaching Sunday school and showing kids how to dance.
Some of the alleged victims could be members of the church, investigators said; however, they do not believe the abuse took place at the church. Martinez did not babysit all of his alleged victims, investigators said.
Prosecutors said additional charges could follow if more victims come forward.
The investigation began when four of the alleged victims' parents went to the police after hearing three of the children talk about the "nasty things" Martinez had done to them.
Police said Martinez, during a taped interview, said he "knew what he was doing was wrong" and therefore would apologize to the children afterwards. Martinez said he tried to stop several times but the temptations always returned, according to court documents.
Nathan Martinez, who has been charged with 30 sex crimes ranging from child rape to molestation, had been ordered by the court to have no contact with his victims or anyone under the age of 18.
But officials recently learned that he had called one of the victims from jail and sent three letters to four of the children and their parents. The letters were sent to Martinez's sister, and she delivered them to at least two of the families.
In an emergency hearing on Wednesday, Island County Superior Court Judge Alan R. Hancock ordered that Martinez's $250,000 bail be revoked, and ordered him held without bail until his trial.
In addition, prosecutors asked that Martinez be banned from making phone calls from the jail, except to his attorney, and that he have no contact with the victim's parents, his sister or the church pastors unless accompanied by his attorney. The judge granted all these requests.
Martinez previously admitted to molesting three boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 12 since June 2007. He had been babysitting the children at the time.
He pleaded not guilty on Monday despite the partial confession he gave to investigators.
At least 14 alleged victims have come forward, and investigators believe there may be more.
Martinez, who told police he himself had been abused as a child for more than a decade, volunteered as a youth counselor at the Living Faith Christian Center, teaching Sunday school and showing kids how to dance.
Some of the alleged victims could be members of the church, investigators said; however, they do not believe the abuse took place at the church. Martinez did not babysit all of his alleged victims, investigators said.
Prosecutors said additional charges could follow if more victims come forward.
The investigation began when four of the alleged victims' parents went to the police after hearing three of the children talk about the "nasty things" Martinez had done to them.
Police said Martinez, during a taped interview, said he "knew what he was doing was wrong" and therefore would apologize to the children afterwards. Martinez said he tried to stop several times but the temptations always returned, according to court documents.