|
Martinez sentenced to 10 years
Published October 16, 2002
ANGLETON — Charles Eugene Martinez, 40, a former middle school principal, former evangelist and founder of Mustang Christian Ranch received three 10-year prison sentences from a jury late Monday night for three counts of indecency with a child.
The sentences will run concurrently and Martinez must spend at least five years in prison before he is eligible for parole.
Martinez was convicted last week of fondling the breasts and stomach of a 13-year-old girl as she slept at his ranch. The next day, the girl’s birthday, Martinez called her in for a talk, then stuck his hand between the buttons of her shirt and pulled her on top of him, grinding his pelvis into hers.
John Cossum, the Houston attorney who represented Martinez, said he anticipates an appeal.
“I think we’re clearly disappointed with the jury’s decision,” Cossum said. “There was a lot of good works that Charlie Martinez has done through the years. I think that gets lost in the natural concern all people have when abuse of a child is at issue.”
Cossum said he would put Martinez and his wife on the stand if he could do it over again.
One juror said Martinez betrayed a sacred trust and probation wasn’t an option.
“She’s a 13-year-old girl,” said the Angleton man, who asked to remain anonymous. “He’s a minister. We did not think probation fit the crime.”
The juror said they considered all aspects of Martinez’ life when assessing sentence.
“The man has done a tremendous amount of good,” he said. “There are definitely two sides to this guy.”
Martinez is an ordained minister with a history of trouble. In 1990 he was accused of assaulting his brother-in-law in Phoenix, Ariz. Though Juan Mendoza was hospitalized for a week, Martinez was acquitted of the charges.
After moving to Texas, Martinez became a teacher, spent time as an educator at O.A. Fleming Elementary in Freeport, then moved to Houston where he became assistant principal at three middle schools.
At the third middle school, Edison Middle School, Martinez was accused of physically or sexually abusing five different students and resigned rather than be fired, according to testimony.
It was while he was an assistant principal that Martinez began bringing troubled students to land he owned in the 700 block of Hagerman Road near Freeport that eventually became Mustang Christian Ranch.
Prosecutors made much of the fact Martinez was ordered by his principal to stop bringing children from the school to the ranch because of liability issues.
“He won’t follow the rules because the rules don’t apply to him,” Assistant District Attorney Jon Hall said.
Hall also said an accusation Martinez sexually abused the then-eight-year-old daughter of his girlfriend 10 years ago showed he’s not fit for probation. Martinez testified the girl resented him because he wouldn’t allow her to use foul language. He broke up with her mother because of the girl’s behavior, Martinez said.
“This is a man who said, ‘Turn no child away,’” Hall said. “Who’s the one child he did not try to help? He broke up with her mom because of her foul language.”
A grand jury no-billed Martinez in the 1992 case, but he has been subsequently indicted. The case is pending.
Hall said he’s not sure if the district attorney’s office will move forward with the case.
“There’s still a decision to be made,” he said.
Share |
Save |
Mail |
Print
|
|
|
 |
|
FREE BAY BOAT WITH WATERFRONT PURCHASE Get
...
Click for all
Top Ads listing
|
