Former Holiday Inn manager German Martinez of Sunrise, Florida was arrested last week for allegedly molesting a 9-year-old girl when he worked at the hotel.
Martinez, 41, is being charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation of a victim under the age of 16. He was ordered held without bond on Thursday by Judge Claudia Robinson. News sources did not name a defense attorney for Martinez.
According to the arrest report, the alleged incident occurred in February at the Holiday Inn on 2450 Davie Road. Martinez was employed as a manager at the hotel and the victim, then 9, is reportedly another employee’s child. The victim told a parent that Martinez touched her below her waist and over her pants while she was playing computer games at the hotel’s business center.
Records from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement show Martinez is a registered sex offender who was convicted of multiple counts of lewd or lascivious conduct against a victim under 16 in 1995.
Another case of molestation involving a victim younger than 12 years of age was reported in West Palm Beach on August 10. Javier Ramos Sanchez of West Palm Beach, Florida was arrested on August 7 after he was accused of molesting a 5-year-old he babysat more than a year. News sources did not elaborate his relationship with the child.
Sanchez, 27, was charged with sexual battery against a victim under 12. He was ordered held without bond at Palm Beach County Jail. It is unclear if he has acquired legal representation.
According to the police report, investigators learned about the alleged assault on August 7 when the victim, now 6 years old, informed a parent about the molestation. The victim was unable to say exactly when the incident occurred. Sanchez reportedly babysat the victim a year ago, and that is when investigators believe the incident occurred.
Police questioned Sanchez about the allegation and he reportedly confessed to touching himself in a sexual manner in front of the child. He also said he “allowed” the victim to perform a sex act on him, but the age of consent in Florida is 18 and no one under 16 can give consent.
Under Florida law, lewd or lascivious molestation occurs when an adult intentionally touches the genitals, breasts, or buttocks of a victim younger than 16 in a lewd or lascivious manner. Lewd or lascivious molestation is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison, or 25 years in some circumstances. A person can be charged with multiple counts of lewd or lascivious battery even though there is only one alleged victim; prosecutors can file a multi-count indictment if there was more than one sexual encounter between the victim and the defendant.
Offenses involving illegal sex acts are very serious and often carry harsh penalties, which is why a defendant should hire an experienced lawyer to carefully analyze the case and provide them with the best possible defense.