Law enforcement officers need help locating a minister on the run who officials say was convicted of rape and child molestation.
The Fulton County District Attorney's Office said 45-year-old Don Martin is now a wanted fugitive. Martin is originally from the Bahamas.
In August 2011, Atlanta Police launched an investigation after a young girl alleged Martin touched her inappropriately for several years at different locations in College Park and Atlanta, according to Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard, Jr.
The girl’s legal guardian said she was friends with Martin and met him at an Atlanta church where he was a minster. The victim said Martin began touching her private areas in 2005, when she was 7 years old. She told authorities the abuse continued for six years until she was 13 years old.
The D.A. said Atlanta Police closed the case in 2011 when the victim didn't attend a forensic interview and the defendant provided an alibi. However, investigators reopened the case in 2014, because the victim’s legal guardian contacted APD to report that the victim was repeating her prior allegations against Martin.
Police talked to the victim about the allegations and she accused Martin of molesting her more than 30 times.
Martin was later arrested and given an ankle monitor. He was indicted in 2015, but in 2017, a judge altered the conditions of Martin’s bond and allowed him to remove the ankle monitor, Howard said.
After five days of testimony during Martin’s trial, the defendant didn't appear in court for closing arguments and the verdict. His whereabouts are unknown.
He was convicted of rape, aggravated sexual battery, child molestation, and cruelty to children.
Anyone who sees Martin should contact authorities.
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