Okla. City Officer Arrested Again, Accused Of Kidnapping

OKLAHOMA CITY -- An Oklahoma City police officer already under suspicion of lewd acts with underage children was arrested early Friday on suspicion of kidnapping, police said.

Sgt. Maurice Martinez faces two counts of kidnapping in addition to other charges, police said.

Authorities told Eyewitness News 5 that a child who had been reported as a runaway was inside Martinez' car when it was pulled over at Southeast 44th Street and Sooner Road at about 1:30 a.m. The child ran away from the scene, police said.

Martinez is being held at the Oklahoma City Jail with no bail.

Authorities also found a child in Utah associated with the case.

Martinez is an 18-year veteran of the police force, currently assigned to the south side of the city as a patrol officer. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

The investigation into Martinez began in January, according to Capt. Patrick Stewart. Stewart said an anonymous call was made to the Department of Human Services concerning sexual abuse of a boy under 16. The sex crime unit spent the weekend investigating the allegations before confronting and arresting Martinez.

“We investigate all crimes the same way,” said Stewart. “It doesn’t matter if the suspect is an officer or not.”

Martinez has been a foster parent for 11 years. In January, Stewart said that three adopted sons and three foster sons live with him. Martinez also has a fourth adopted son, an 18-year-old, who lives outside the home.