(Nov. 24, 2016) During his initial appearance in Worcester County District Court on behalf of Stephen Decatur High School teacher Austin Martin, defense attorney John Phoebus on Monday revealed his client had been indicted by the grand jury and the matter will now be handled by the circuit court.
Martin, 27, of Ocean Pines, had faced two charges — sex abuse of a minor and sexual solicitation of a minor — that could have carried maximum penalties of up to 35 years in jail and a $25,000 fine.
Phoebus said, and the state’s attorney agreed, that the sexual solicitation charge would not be pursued by the prosecution. The maximum penalty for that charge is 10 years in jail and the fine. Martin still faces a potential 25-year sentence for his relationship with his 17-year-old teacher’s aide.
The two allegedly had a relationship that spanned six months, dating back to April or May of this year, when the student “confided in Martin about her relationship” with an ex-boyfriend.
When she didn’t show up for school one day, Martin sent the student an Instagram message and gave her his cellphone number, the statement alleged. Eventually, via text, he asked the student for photos.
A text thread shown by Martin to police and spanning from May to November allegedly included several pictures of the student in “semi-nude poses” that appeared to have been taken by the student in her bedroom.
Martin allegedly reciprocated with a similar photo of his own, according to the charging documents.
According to police, Martin and the student met at Buffalo Wild Wings in Salisbury and discussed that they “could not have an intimate sexual relationship.”
“However, Martin agreed he and [the student] were walking that ‘thin line’ by exchanging semi-nude photos and sexual innuendo,” the officer wrote in the charging documents, which also make mention of Martin’s wife.
“Martin knew his relationship with [the student] was inappropriate, but could not provide an answer as to why he never stopped the relationship,” the officer wrote, adding that Martin knew his relationship with the student violated school policy.
Carrie Sterrs, Worcester County Public Schools spokesperson, released the following statement in response to the charges: “Worcester County Public Schools is aware of the investigation into Stephen Decatur High School teacher Austin Martin.”
“When the school system was made aware of this matter, Mr. Austin was immediately placed on administrative leave until further notice. The safety and security of our students is of the utmost importance to our school system, and we will continue to be proactive and steadfast in ensuring our learning environments are safe for the children of Worcester County.”
Martin’s next court date has not yet been scheduled.
Martin, 27, of Ocean Pines, had faced two charges — sex abuse of a minor and sexual solicitation of a minor — that could have carried maximum penalties of up to 35 years in jail and a $25,000 fine.
Phoebus said, and the state’s attorney agreed, that the sexual solicitation charge would not be pursued by the prosecution. The maximum penalty for that charge is 10 years in jail and the fine. Martin still faces a potential 25-year sentence for his relationship with his 17-year-old teacher’s aide.
The two allegedly had a relationship that spanned six months, dating back to April or May of this year, when the student “confided in Martin about her relationship” with an ex-boyfriend.
When she didn’t show up for school one day, Martin sent the student an Instagram message and gave her his cellphone number, the statement alleged. Eventually, via text, he asked the student for photos.
A text thread shown by Martin to police and spanning from May to November allegedly included several pictures of the student in “semi-nude poses” that appeared to have been taken by the student in her bedroom.
Martin allegedly reciprocated with a similar photo of his own, according to the charging documents.
According to police, Martin and the student met at Buffalo Wild Wings in Salisbury and discussed that they “could not have an intimate sexual relationship.”
“However, Martin agreed he and [the student] were walking that ‘thin line’ by exchanging semi-nude photos and sexual innuendo,” the officer wrote in the charging documents, which also make mention of Martin’s wife.
“Martin knew his relationship with [the student] was inappropriate, but could not provide an answer as to why he never stopped the relationship,” the officer wrote, adding that Martin knew his relationship with the student violated school policy.
Carrie Sterrs, Worcester County Public Schools spokesperson, released the following statement in response to the charges: “Worcester County Public Schools is aware of the investigation into Stephen Decatur High School teacher Austin Martin.”
“When the school system was made aware of this matter, Mr. Austin was immediately placed on administrative leave until further notice. The safety and security of our students is of the utmost importance to our school system, and we will continue to be proactive and steadfast in ensuring our learning environments are safe for the children of Worcester County.”
Martin’s next court date has not yet been scheduled.