Man Indicted on Extensive Charges Including Child Exploitation, Animal Cruelty, and Terrorism Support
A man has been indicted on a wide range of federal charges stemming from alleged involvement in child exploitation, animal cruelty, cyberstalking, and support of terrorism. The superseding indictment details accusations of operating a child exploitation enterprise, conspiracy to commit violent acts abroad, and participation in a network linked to Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE).
The indictment alleges Martin produced and distributed child pornography,victimizing at least nine individuals,eight of whom were between 11 and 15 years old at the time of the offenses. Specific charges include five counts of production of child pornography, eleven counts of distribution of child pornography, and three counts related to coercing a minor into sexual activity.
beyond child exploitation, Martin is accused of engaging in animal crushing and distributing videos of these acts to 764 individuals.He also faces three counts of cyberstalking, with two of the victims being minors during the alleged offenses.
If convicted on all counts, Martin could face life in prison for participation in the child exploitation enterprise, conspiracy to kill, kidnap or maim persons in a foreign country, and coercion/enticement of a child.Additional potential sentences include up to 30 years for each count of producing child pornography, 15 years for providing material support to terrorists, up to 20 years for cyberstalking resulting in injury, and 10 years for cyberstalking a minor or involvement in a murder-for-hire plot. Mandatory minimum sentences also apply, including 20 years for the child exploitation enterprise, 15 years for production of child pornography, and 5 years for distribution of child pornography. Each offence carries a potential fine of $250,000 and a lifetime of supervised release. Sentencing will be resolute by a federal district court judge based on U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant factors.
The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Liza Granoff and Kevin Schiff of the district of Arizona,along with Trial Attorneys Justin Sher and James Donnelly from the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates federal, state, and local resources to identify, apprehend, and prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information on Project Safe childhood can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
the Justice Department emphasizes its ongoing efforts to counter NVE networks, such as the one linked to this case, which frequently enough target vulnerable individuals – including minors – online, sharing abusive material and grooming victims for violence and exploitation. Victims are frequently subjected to extortion, coercion, and blackmail, leading to acts of self-harm, sexual abuse, animal cruelty, and even violence or suicide. Resources for protecting children online are available from the FBI at https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/parents-and-caregivers-protecting-your-kids and in their March 2025 public service announcement: https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2025/PSA250306.
It is vital to note that an indictment represents an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
