LOGAN — A 56-year-old Logan man has been arrested for allegedly sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl who was recently been diagnosed with a mental disorder, according to law enforcement. Jose Antonio Martinez was booked Nov. 14 into the Cache County Jail after law enforcement arrested him at his workplace.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, a woman went to the Logan City Police Department on Nov. 13, claiming her daughter had been sexually assaulted multiple times by Martinez, her prior landlord. She explained how she met the alleged suspect years ago and rented his basement three to four years ago.
The alleged victim’s mother explained how after moving to a new residence, Martinez would come over and visit her and the 11-year-old girl. It was during some of these visits that she noticed the suspect acting awkward and the young girl’s behavior changing.
The woman decided to place a video camera in their living room about two weeks ago. She reportedly captured several instances when Martinez came over, while she was gone, according to charging documents.
The camera reportedly captured Martinez groping and kissing the alleged victim. The young girl was seen pushing the suspect away as he would touch the girl above and beneath her clothing.
The alleged victim was later interviewed at the Cache Children’s Justice Center. She explained how Martinez also had taken her to Willow Park in a dark colored vehicle, without her mother’s knowledge. During the incident, the suspect allegedly exposed himself to the child. During another similar occurrence, the Logan man molested her inside the car.
Police officers contacted Martinez at his job and questioned him about the allegations. He reportedly claimed doing nothing wrong. However, after being shown a image from the video camera, he requested to end the interview.
Martinez made an initial appearance Monday in Logan’s 1st District Court. He was charged with 25 counts, including child kidnapping, object rape of a child, aggravated sexual abuse of a child, all first-degree felonies; and unlawful kissing of a child, a class A misdemeanor.
Judge Angela Fonnesbeck ordered Martinez to remain in jail appear again in court Dec. 3.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.