OKC Police Officer's Family: Accusations Of Sex Acts With Foster Children Untrue

The family of an Oklahoma City police officer accused of engaging in sexual acts with his foster children said he is an innocent man.

Friday, January 21st 2011, 3:21 pm

By: News 9


Adrianna Iwasinski, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY – The family of an Oklahoma City police officer accused of engaging in sexual acts with his foster children said he is an innocent man.

The sisters of Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Maurice Anthony Martinez said the accusations against him are untrue and have devastated their family.

"He is just destroyed by this," said Lisa, one of his two sisters. "We've been getting bombarded by phone calls from children he's cared for saying they want to speak out on his behalf. He's been taking care of kids for more than 11 years and has never received a complaint. He's even won awards."

They said the accusations are coming from a disgruntled boy Martinez used to foster.

"If it was true, a lot more kids would have come forward and said it. But nobody else has," said former foster son Leviticus Banicki. "Just one, and it was because he was mad and didn't get his way."

According to the probable cause affidavit, a 16-year-old victim told three different witnesses at his church that his adoptive father, Martinez, had been making him perform sex acts on him.

The teen claims the sex acts all occurred in Martinez's bedroom and that it happened on several occasions since his 14th birthday.

Oklahoma City Police Captain Patrick Stewart said an investigation into Martinez began after an anonymous source was made to DHS last week alleging he was involved in some type of sexual abuse.

Martinez was arrested Wednesday on three complaints of forcible oral sodomy and two complaints of lewd and indecent proposal/acts with a child.

DHS confirms Martinez has been a foster parent for 10 years and last year was recognized for being one the state's top foster parents.

"It's ridiculous, ridiculous. I've seen him help too many kids in my life of being around him to do something like that," said Banicki.

More than 20 people showed up at the Midwest City library Friday to show a united front for Sgt. Maurice Martinez.

"They're false. It's not true. We all know it. That's why we're here to back him and support him we will prove that it's not true," said Lori Johnston, whose two boys were adopted by Martinez.

She said her sons have come a long way and its all due to him.

"I am proud for my kids to say that's their dad," said Johnston.

"He gave me a place to live, got me a job, put me in the military. He does that with all his foster kids," said Thomas Salazar.

Many of his former foster children and the boys Martinez cared for said he believed in them when no one else would.

"We know he's innocent. We believe him and know he would never hurt a child. All he does is help them," said Banicki.

Sgt. Martinez has bonded out of jail and is currently on administrative leave.

More: OKC Police Officer Arrested For Sex Acts With Child

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