Police: Youth minister raped teen boy

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Parishioners stunned over rape charges

Police: Youth minister raped teen boy

Updated: Thursday, 25 Nov 2010, 6:28 PM MST

Published : Thursday, 25 Nov 2010, 6:28 PM MST

Reporter: Crystal Gutierrez

SANTA FE (KRQE) - Officials from a Santa Fe Catholic Church tried to reassure parishioners that their children are safe just days after a former youth minister is charged with raping a teen boy.

The announcement was made during a Thanksgiving mass at the Santa Maria de la Paz Thursday morning.

“Deacon made the announcement about Father Adam sending a message,” Parishioner Andy Pena said.

Parishioners said church officials did not go into detail about the allegations but tried to reassure them that they are doing everything to make sure their children are safe.

According to police Edge Youth Minister Anthony Martinez, 34, used alcohol and bribes to get close to his two alleged victims. Police said both were 15-year-old boys.

Investigators said Martinez met one victim through the church's youth program. After inviting the boy to his home several times, promising alcoholic drinks, Martinez talked the teen boy into masturbating with him as they watched a "Girls Gone Wild" video.

Detectives said he also offered $100 for a sex act, but the boy refused.

Investigators soon found out about a second victim. Police said Martinez gave that teenager a cell phone and in exchange Martinez performed a sexual act on the boy.

The news came as a surprise to many parishioners including Salvador Arellano and his wife.

“I was shocked, yeah I was shocked,” Arellano and his wife said.

While church officials continue to help with the criminal investigation. Pena said whatever happened will be judged by God.

“Like the Deacon said I’ll leave it in the hands of God,” Pena said.

We asked to speak with the head priest of Santa Maria de la Paz but he's out of state.

The Archdiocese of Santa Fe has not returned our calls either.

According to reports, the church let Martinez go after the allegations surfaced and said he did pass a background check.

KRQE News 13 found out that Martinez does not have a criminal record in New Mexico.

[Bad_Daddy 2,209]

Religion and pervs have always went together hand in hand.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I have to admit, this is hilarious. One religion's members posting bad stuff about other religion's members. God is truly great!

Edited February 3, 2011 by Gary and Alla

[2ndMessiah 184]

Thats Religion for you.

[Danno 1,228]

Why is it, the victims are always young men or boys..... Don't the Straight priests ever take a walk?

[웃 910]

Why is it, the victims are always young men or boys..... Don't the Straight priests ever take a walk?

Only God knows....Unfortunately He has been mute for over 24,000 months (or 730,000 days....2,000 years)...I guess you can call it a coincidence. Just remember that back when God spoke human intelligence was at a 2,000 year low...Scientific achievements were at a 2,000 year low...Superstition and gullibility were at a 2,000 year high....

People thought the world was flat (as in you travel a certain distance you will fall off the edge of the earth) and people thought humans were witches just about 500 years ago..Times that stupidity by 4 and you have the era in which man and God communicated directly.