The Orange County Criminal Lawyer Blog
An Alabama man was arrested when the authorities intercepted an alleged meeting that he arranged to try to have sex with a child.
45-year-old Blake Thomas Martin is from Escambia County, Alabama.
According to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, their Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was made aware of suggestive text messages they believed were sent by Martin. The texts were reportedly meant for an underage person.
On August 5, an investigation was opened, and the authorities decided to implement undercover tactics.
The police asserted that the texts clearly showed a person they believe was Martin proposing a meet-up for sex with a child. They believe he knew the recipient of the messages was under the age of consent. The authorities additionally claim that the content contained an expressed acknowledgment that having sex with anyone under the age of 16 would be illegal.
An undercover officer pretended to be underage and engaged online with someone they believed was Martin. They claimed that he wanted to meet in person for a sexual encounter, and it was set to take place on August 13.
When a man arrived at the designated meeting spot, he was greeted by the authorities.
He was identified as Martin, and the police searched his person. They reported that he was found in possession of “3 condoms, one breath mint, one Viagra, marijuana, and one Oxycodone.”
They were granted a warrant to search his home, and the police reported that they confiscated methamphetamine and electronics they believe belong to Martin.
Martin was taken into custody and booked into the Escambia County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. He is facing charges for electronic solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful sex act, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana second degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
If you or someone you love is suspected of a criminal offense, contact Orange County criminal defense lawyer Staycie R. Sena at (949) 477-8088 for a consultation now.