An Arizona man has been sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a victim while transporting her across state lines. Martin Brandon Gillen, 27, from Phoenix, Arizona, also received an additional 95-year prison sentence for related offenses. These sentences will be served concurrently.
Gillen pleaded guilty to multiple charges including one count of kidnapping, two counts of sexual exploitation of a minor, transportation for criminal sexual activity, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
The case traces back to late 2021 when Gillen initiated an online relationship with a then 17-year-old female. He coerced her into sending sexually explicit images and videos, which he later used to threaten her. In March 2024, Gillen traveled to Illinois to meet the victim and transported her through Missouri and Kansas. During this journey, he repeatedly assaulted her.
Authorities found Gillen and the victim in Kansas with the assistance of the Iola Police Department. At the time of his arrest, Gillen was in possession of a firearm and other incriminating materials. His cell phone contained hundreds of images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material as well as explicit images of the teenage victim. Further investigation uncovered evidence of Gillen abusing another child from Utah.
The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), alongside local police departments from Iola and New Baden, Illinois, as well as the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation nationwide. The program seeks to enhance coordination among federal, state, and local resources to apprehend offenders and protect victims.
