Related Articles
-Editorial
An Imperial County jury has found Saul Martinez Sanchez guilty of multiple charges of sexual abuse against a minor, according to a Sept. 12 press release by the Imperial County District Attorney’s Office.
Sanchez was convicted on three counts of Felony Sexual Intercourse or Sodomy of a Child Under Ten Years Old, one count of Felony Continuous Sexual Abuse, and eleven counts of Felony Sexual Penetration by Force.
“Eventually, the victim took the stand during trial and told her story in front of a jury of strangers. The details of her account were violent, harrowing, and emotionally draining for everyone involved, including the jury who came to a unanimous verdict,” the press release stated.
The case first came to light in June 2022 when the victim, then just thirteen years old, courageously reported years of abuse to the Calexico Police Department. Tragically, the abuse had started when she was only six.
The case would not have been possible without the trauma-informed investigation of the Calexico Police Department, including Sergeant Manuel Ceja, Officer Anthony Aguirre, Officer Victor Garate and evidence technician David Macias.
Moreover, the Imperial County Victim Witness Program played a critical role in assisting the victim. Advocates Damien Aguilera and David Briseno were instrumental in providing emotional support and resources during this difficult time.
The investigative team was further strengthened by the Imperial County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigations. Led by Investigator Romeo Santiago and Investigator Jose Cuellar, they worked diligently to gather evidence and build a robust case against Sanchez. Their collaboration with the California Department of Justice’s Criminalist Chad Eyerly and the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office Scientific Investigations Unit, Judy Castro conducted forensic analysis, added significant weight to the prosecution’s efforts.
Deputy District Attorney Margaret Tafoya prosecuted the case, ensuring that the complexities of the law were navigated while amplifying the victim’s voice throughout the proceedings. Saul Martinez Sanchez is set to be sentenced by the Honorable Judge Plourd on October 28, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in Department 7 of the Imperial County Superior Court.
