Michael Martinez, 30, of Camby, Indiana, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and 20 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to distributing visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
The case began in May 2024 when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children referred a cyber tip to the Indiana Crimes Against Children Task Force. The tip indicated that a user identified as “the_goose_boi” had uploaded 28 files containing suspected child sexual abuse material using the Kik messaging application. Law enforcement officers determined that Martinez was responsible after reviewing records from Kik, which included messages discussing child pornography and expressing sexual interest in children.
Martinez previously was convicted in June 2020 in Marion County for possession of child pornography and child exploitation. He received a five-year prison sentence and four years of Sex Offender Probation. At the time of his latest offense, he was still on probation.
“Michael Martinez is a known predator who chose to victimize children again while still on probation from a prior offense where he had been banned from even accessing the internet. His actions were brazen, disturbing, and deeply dangerous,” said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. “Thanks to the relentless efforts of the U.S. Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and our dedicated federal prosecutors, we have removed a sexual predator from our community and sent a clear message that we will not tolerate the exploitation of our children.”
“The U.S. Secret Service is committed to stopping child sexual predators who harm innocent victims. The sentencing in this case illustrates the heinous nature of this repeat offender’s crimes against vulnerable children,” said Ike Barnes, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service’s Indianapolis Field Office. “I am proud of the work of the Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations in bringing this person to justice. Thanks to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Southern District of Indiana for its efforts in prosecuting this case.”
The investigation involved both the U.S. Secret Service and Homeland Security Investigations. Judge James P. Hanlon imposed Martinez's sentence.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman prosecuted the case.
The investigation was conducted by the Indiana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force—a multiagency team led by Indiana State Police that investigates internet-based crimes involving child exploitation or enticement each year; they review thousands of tips and rescue dozens of children annually (more information at https://www.internetcrimesagainstkids.com).
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative started by the Department of Justice in May 2006—designed to coordinate federal, state, and local resources against online child exploitation (see https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdin/project-safe-childhood).
Victims seeking help can contact their local police department or access resources through official websites.
