Frenchtown High School Employee Charged With Sexual Abuse of Children
On February 14, 2022, Missoula County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to a residence on Jenny Ann Court for a sexual assault report involving 60-year-old Steven Martin. Upon arrival, Deputies learned that two teenage males, who were temporarily living at Martin’s residence, confronted Martin about a camera in their bathroom. The teenage males are 16 and 18-years-old.
According to court documents, Martin agreed to speak with law enforcement. Martin confirmed that one of the teenagers had discovered one of the cameras he had put up in his residence. Martin stated he had cameras in the kitchen, upstairs bathroom, and each of the boys’ bedrooms.
Martin stated he would watch the video recordings collected from the cameras. When asked the purpose for the cameras, Martin replied “entertainment.” When asked to expand on the latter, Martin replied “dancing naked in the bathroom…singing.” A Deputy asked Martin what he does when watching the videos, Martin replied “sometimes masturbating.” Martin stated the last time he had viewed the videos was three or four days ago.
Martin installed the hidden cameras in August of 2021, about a month prior to the teenagers living with him. Martin stated he views the cameras’ recordings two to three times a week. After the conclusion of the interview, Martin stated he thought his actions were a “victimless crime... no one else would find out.”
Martin was arrested and transported to the Missoula County Detention Center. On February 15, 2022, Martin made his initial appearance in Missoula Justice Court. According to Deputy County Attorney Mark Handelman, the two teenage males said Martin allowed other juveniles to come to the residence as well.
“One of those juveniles told one of the John Does that when she was over for a sleepover when she was 17-years-old, she used one of the bathrooms where multiple cameras were located,” Handelman said. “When she exited, the defendant (Martin) was naked in the hallway. That same Jane Doe also relayed to that John Doe that he (Martin) had touched her breasts at a party. Suffice it to say, the state is seriously concerned that there are numerous more Does out there that we do not know of right now.”
Judge Landee Holloway presided over the case and she said the current allegations are alarming.
“What becomes my concern is the community safety and all of the other possible Does that are out there and a possibility of having any contact with those Does and Mr. Martin,” Holloway said. “So at this time, the conditions of your release, should you ever be released, Mr. Martin, is that you would obey all laws, you would appear at your scheduled court appearances, you’re not to have any contact with any teenagers under the age of 19, you’re not to go to any malls, schools, or scheduled activities that would involve any children. I will also be setting bail in the amount of $200,000.”
According to Public Defender Ted Fellman, Martin is currently employed at Frenchtown High School.
Martin is currently being charged with sexual abuse of children. The investigation into this case is ongoing and KGVO will provide more details when they become available.
The information in this case was obtained from sources that are publicly viewable.