A man who worked at various Jefferson County elementary schools has been arrested and faces a charge of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, police said on Thursday.
Justin Martinez, 30, was arrested Tuesday after Arvada Police began an investigation on April 22. Online court records indicate he faces two charges. They include sexual assault on a child - victim under 15, a pattern of abuse, and child abuse. Court records show the alleged crimes happened between August 2022 and August 2023.
Police said that the events leading to Martinez's arrest did not happen at a school.
Martinez was primarily employed as a before and after care provider and occasionally a substitute teacher at multiple schools in Jefferson County from 2011 to the present, according to police. He worked at the following schools:
- Lawrence Elementary (Arvada)
- Stevens Elementary ( Wheat Ridge)
- Vivian Elementary (Lakewood)
- Swanson Elementary (Arvada - before and after care program)
- Secrest Elementary (Arvada - before and after care program)
- West Woods Elementary (Arvada - before and after care program)
The Jeffco Public Schools sent a letter to families at Lawrence Elementary telling them that Martinez had worked as a paraprofessional at the school during the 2017-18 school year and had returned to work there as a substitute teacher in various classrooms during the 2022-23 school year.
He most recently worked with the before and after care program at Red Rocks Elementary in Morrison. The district said he worked there from Feb. 11 until he was placed on leave on April 22, when they learned about the criminal investigation.
The district said in their letter that as a condition of his leave, Martinez was prohibited from any contact with Jeffco students, staff or families. The district also said the process to terminate his employment was "in progress."
According to Arvada Police, the before and after school programs were operated by Kids Adventures and STARS Kid Care.
Martinez appeared in court Thursday morning and is next due in court May 8 when formal charges are expected.
Anyone with information about the case or Martinez is asked to call Arvada Police at 720-898-7171.
For more stories like this, visit The Denver Gazette's news partner 9News
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