75-year-old man charged for allegedly molesting 6-year-old
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IDAHO FALLS — A 75-year-old man is charged with a felony after police say he sexually assaulted a young girl.
Jose Carmen Vega Martinez is charged with one count of felony lewd conduct with a child under 16 years old. He pleaded not guilty on Tuesday.
According to court documents, a Bonneville County Sheriff’s detective was contacted on July 29, 2023, about a possible sexual battery of a minor that had just occurred.
The detective responded to a home in Bonneville County and learned Vega Martinez had allegedly sexually assaulted a 6-year-old girl.
Vega Martinez does not speak English, so the detective asked one of his relatives to translate. Vega Martinez reportedly allowed the detective to take a DNA swab for testing. The detective then asked Vega Martinez if he had any questions, and Vega Martinez allegedly responded that he “didn’t do anything wrong” and said he “just hugged her.”
On Aug. 3, the victim participated in a forensic interview at the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Center (DVSAC). She reportedly stated she was inside a home with a relative and Vega Martinez. The relative fell asleep, and she had been walking close to Vega Martinez when he “grabbed her and sat her on his lap” and then sexually assaulted her.
The victim says she immediately went to tell another relative and that it had only happened once.
The same day, a twelve-year-old girl, who is a sibling of the first victim, also met at DVSAC for a forensic interview. She reportedly stated Vega Martinez would touch her inappropriately when they hugged when she was 7- or 8-years-old. This victim stated Vega Martinez stopped doing this as she got older.
On March 1, 2024, detectives received results from the DNA tests that indicated that Vega Martinez touched the 6-year-old victim inappropriately. A warrant was issued for Vega Martinez’s arrest on April 19, and he appeared in court for an initial appearance on Nov. 1.
A no-contact order was issued for the victim, and Vega Martinez is being held on a $25,000 bond in the Bonneville County Jail. If convicted, Vega Martinez could face up to life in prison.
Though Vega Martinez has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.