Tulare Man Found Guilty of Child Molestation and Possession of Child Pornography

Yesterday in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, Visalia Division, a Tulare County jury found Yovani Martinez, age 33, guilty of two counts of digital penetration of a child under the age of ten, six counts of lewd act upon a child under the age of fourteen, one count of possession of child pornography and one count of using a minor for sex acts. The jury also found true the special allegation of substantial sexual conduct. Each count is a felony and eight of the counts are strike offenses.

The crimes occurred between January 1, 2012, and February 10, 2017, against a female victim, who was between five and eight-years-old at the time of the sexual assaults. All of the crimes occurred within the county.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 23, 2021, in Department 6 of the Tulare County Superior Court, where Martinez faces 49 years, 4 months-to-life in state prison. Martinez will also be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. 

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Wayt of the Crimes against Children Division and investigated by Corporal Cynthia Vasquez of the Tulare Police Department.  

Media inquiries can be directed to the Office of the District Attorney, County of Tulare
Public Information Officer Stuart Anderson (559) 636-5494