A Connecticut man has pleaded guilty in federal court to serious child exploitation offenses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut.
Mario Rene Garcia Martinez, 41, a citizen of Guatemala residing in the United States, entered guilty pleas Friday in New Haven federal court to charges related to the production and possession of child sexual abuse material.
According to prosecutors, the offenses occurred in Connecticut in February 2024 and involved a prepubescent minor.
According to court documents and statements made in court, on two occasions in February 2024, in Connecticut, Garcia Martinez used his smartphone to record images and videos of himself sexually abusing a prepubescent minor female identified as his daughter, while she was sleeping.
Garcia Martinez pleaded guilty to production of child pornography, which carries a mandatory minimum term of imprisonment of 15 years and a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years, and possession of child pornography, which carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 20 years.
Federal authorities said Garcia Martinez used a smartphone to create illicit recordings involving the child.
Charges Carry Significant Prison Time
Garcia Martinez pleaded guilty to:
- Production of child pornography
- Possession of child pornography
Federal prosecutors said the production charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and a maximum possible sentence of 30 years.
The possession charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
Garcia Martinez has remained in federal custody since his arrest on March 6, 2025. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
FBI and Local Police Investigated Case
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the West Haven Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Daniel E. Cummings and Anastasia E. King are prosecuting the case with assistance from the Office of the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Ansonia-Milford.
Federal officials said the prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, a nationwide effort focused on combating child exploitation and protecting minors from abuse.