FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Raymond Worrall
PHONE: (201) 795-6400 Ext. 6737
EMAIL: rworrall@hcpo.org
DATE: Sunday, August 21, 2016
FUGITIVE FROM HUDSON COUNTY DETAINED IN HONDURAS
Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has announced that Gregorio Martinez, age 48, a fugitive from justice who was a pastor and a deacon at several churches in Hudson County, was detained by local officials in Danli, Honduras on August 16, 2016. Confirmation of the detention of Martinez has been received by the U.S. State Department.
Prosecutor Suarez said the apprehension of the fugitive defendant involved an exhaustive 18 month search and was achieved by an extraordinary law enforcement collaboration between the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and multiple federal agencies.
“This was a tremendous effort by our dedicated detectives and prosecutors, who persisted with this case by following a money trail until Gregorio Martinez was detained Tuesday night in Honduras,” said Suarez. “This investigation involved the teamwork of several law enforcement partners and we are appreciative of the tenacious effort and dedication which led to his apprehension.”
Suarez specifically thanked the U.S. Marshals International Investigations Branch, the U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Services and Honduran Law Enforcement officials for their assistance.
In February 2015, Martinez was tried by a Hudson County jury for sexual offenses against a 13-year-old male parishioner of his church. On February 25, 2015, after less than 30 minutes of deliberations, the jury convicted Martinez on all counts in the indictment.
Martinez was charged with one count of Aggravated Criminal Sexual Contact in violation of N.J.S.2C:14-3(a); one count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child in violation of N.J.S.2C:24-4(a); and one count of Child Abuse in violation of N.J.S.9:6-1 and N.J.S.9:6-3.
Prior to jury selection in this case, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office filed additional sexual assault charges against Martinez for sexually assaulting a 19-year-old male who attended the church he pastored. Following the jury verdict in the initial case, the Prosecutor’s Office filed more sexual assault charges against Martinez for offenses committed against two additional 19-year-old men that he spiritually counseled.
Martinez failed to appear for a mandatory Pre-Sentence Interview following his conviction in the initial case. A Superior Court judge issued a warrant for Martinez’ arrest because he failed to appear.
Martinez, who was born in the Dominican Republic, is also wanted in the United States to stand trial on the additional sexual assault charges. Two additional warrants for his arrest were issued by a Superior Court judge in December 2015 to stand trial on the additional charges.
Prosecutor Suarez said her office will now be exploring all options to secure the return of Martinez to Hudson County, where he will be sentenced and where he will stand trial on the additional charges.
The additional charges against the defendant are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).