Former El Paso County firefighter charged with child sexual assault

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- A former El Paso County firefighter was arrested and charged with two counts of child sexual assault and one count of indecency with a child/sexual contact, according to documents ABC-7 obtained.

23-year-old Andrew Michael Martinez Jr. is accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl, investigators wrote in arrest affidavits.

The El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 2 confirmed with ABC-7 that it employed Martinez. ESD #2 said he no longer works there as of Thursday.

According to documents, in September, the teenage victim's brother told Horizon City police about the alleged assault. He alleged that Martinez had sexual intercourse with his sister multiple times.

Officers then spoke to the victim, who said she met Martinez on Instagram when she was 14 years old. While they spoke online, they shared personal information. Documents said Martinez told the victim he was a 19-year-old firefighter.

On Sept. 27, officers met with Martinez for questioning. Martinez allegedly said he believed the victim was 18 years old and they started dating in August.

Documents said Martinez later told the victim he was actually 23. The victim told officers she told Martinez she was 16 instead of 14.

Martinez denied engaging in sexual activity with the victim and denied knowing the victim was under the age of 18 when they exchanged nude photos, documents said.

According to documents, the victim said Martinez tried to touch her in a "weird way" at her home in May. She told officers she felt scared and told Martinez to stop, according to investigators.

In June, the victim alleged Martinez sexually assaulted her after their first date. Documents said the two went to see the horror movie "Obsession." During a graphic sexual scene, Martinez allegedly told the victim, "We're doing that tonight."

The victim told investigators she felt uncomfortable, documents said.

After the movie, Martinez drove the victim to his home in Socorro. He allegedly took her to his room and started touching her body. Documents said the victim became afraid he would force her to do something.

Martinez allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim until she started crying.

The victim took an Uber back to her home, according to documents. She allegedly told her mother she visited a friend's.

Officers later found a picture in Martinez' of a movie ticket for "Obsession" with the same date the victim mentioned, according to documents.

In September, Martinez allegedly planned a date to celebrate the victim's birthday at Bassett Place. The victim said she took an Uber to his home before they went to the shopping center, investigators wrote.

Documents said Martinez gave the victim a birthday gift. He allegedly sexually assaulted her after.

At Bassett, Martinez and the victim ran into one of the victim's relatives, according to documents. Minutes later, the victim's mother called and demanded she return home.

Martinez drove the victim home and told her to say "he was the older brother of a female friend, and that he was merely giving her a ride home," documents said.

He allegedly said his career as a firefighter was ruined.

The victim's mother confronted Martinez at the home and told him she was 15 years old, investigators wrote.

Investigators said they found a picture on Martinez' phone of the victim with her birthday gift the same day they went to Bassett.

ESD #2 sent ABC-7 the following statement on Martinez' employment:

"El Paso County Emergency Services District No. 2 (ESD #2) is aware of the situation involving employee Andrew Martinez Jr.

Public safety and the integrity of our department remain our highest priorities. Effective immediately, Mr. Martinez has been placed on unpaid administrative leave. ESD #2 is fully cooperating with law enforcement agencies as they conduct their ongoing investigation. We hope that any of the people affected are safe and with their families.  

Because this involves an active law enforcement and personnel matter, ESD #2 cannot provide further comment at this time.

As of today, Mr. Martinez is no longer employed by El Paso County E.S.D.#2."

Jail records said the Horizon City Police Department arrested and booked Martinez into the Downtown El Paso Jail on Wednesday. As of Thursday, he is still in jail on a $100,000 bond.

Martinez' two child sexual assault charges each had a $40,000 bond. His indecency with a child charge had a $20,000 bond.