Michael Martinez: Ex-Phoenix police officer sentenced to prison for felony sexual abuse

PHOENIX – A former Phoenix police officer is heading to prison after pleading guilty to sexually abusing two women. Michael Martinez was sentenced today for two felony counts of sexual abuse. 

Prosecutors say Martinez used his uniform, badge, and squad car to target and unlawfully detain at least two former women.

Martinez, 34, addressed the court, asking his former colleagues for forgiveness.

“First and foremost, I would like to begin with apologizing and asking for forgiveness from everybody involved in this case. I’m truly from the bottom of my heart. Um, if I I’m sorry, if I ever hurt anybody, it was never my intention,” Martinez said.

The judge sentenced Martinez to one and a half years in the Department of Corrections, which will be followed by 10 years of supervised probation.

Martinez was arrested in 2022 and linked to sex worker Jennifer Beede. He was one of the last people to see her alive before she was killed and left inside a suitcase. 

What’s next:

The two people charged in Beede’s murder, Crystal Hulsey and Jose Jaquez, are still awaiting trial.