Florida’s Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office Press Release
(Marion County, FL) Last week, in the courtroom of Judge Timothy McCourt, jurors found 40-year-old Daniel Martinez Jr. guilty on all seven charges. Martinez was charged with three counts of Capital Sexual Battery upon person Under Twelve Years of Age and four counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation.
After being convicted, Judge McCourt sentenced Martinez to seven consecutive Life sentences in the Florida Department of Corrections.
“This defendant committed horrific crimes against two innocent children. The depravity of his actions is beyond measure, and this sentence reflects the severity of his crimes. He will spend the rest of his life behind bars,” said Bill Gladson, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney. “We hope this provides some closure for the victims and their family, helping them find the strength to heal.”
Martinez was arrested in March of 2024 following a Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) investigation after a school resource officer had been contacted by the Department of Children and Families in reference to allegations of sexual abuse of two juvenile victims.
DCF officials indicated that the complainant had informed them that Martinez had abused the two victims over the past three and a half years. Forensic interviews at Kimberly’s Center were scheduled and during the interviews, the victims detailed several incidents of sexual abuse committed by Martinez. Based on the evidence collected and the victims’ statements, an arrest warrant was issued, and he was taken into custody shortly after.
Assistant State Attorney Shanae Pickens successfully prosecuted this case
