Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Crimes Against Children Unit

Operation PAR- Academy for Behavioral Change
6720 54th Avenue North in St. Petersburg

Christopher Martin (Arrested)
DOB: 01/12/1975
Address: 2831 Dupont Street South Apartment #4 in Gulfport.
Charges: One Count of Sexual Battery with Familial Authority on a child, over 12-years-old.

Per Florida Statute 119.071, no further information will be released that would tend to identify the victim.

What:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested an Operation PAR employee for Sexual Battery with Custodial Authority on a child over 12-years-old.

When:
The investigation began on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 and the suspect was arrested at about 2:00 p.m. on December 3, 2020.

Where:
The suspect was arrested at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.

Why/How:
Detectives assigned to the Crimes Against Children Unit have arrested an Operation PAR employee for Sexual Battery with Custodial Authority on a child over 12-years-old.

The investigation began on December 1, 2020, after detectives were contacted by the Operation PAR- Academy for Behavior Change, who suspected a patient may have been the victim of sexual abuse by a staff member.

Detectives say the suspected employee, 45-year-old Christopher Martin, is responsible for supervising juveniles during the overnight hours and was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Detectives say on or about Thursday, November 26, 2020, Martin entered the room where the victim was sleeping. Martin maneuvered the victim’s undergarments and digitally penetrated the victim.

Detectives interviewed Martin at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo. Detectives say Martin admitted to kissing the victim on the mouth and breast as well as touching the victim’s vagina on one occasion. Martin was arrested and charged with one count of Sexual Battery with Custodial Authority on a child, over 12-years-old.

Martin was transported to the Pinellas County Jail without incident.

Since Martin was in a position of authority, detectives are asking anyone with information regarding any other potential victims to please contact Detective Persuad with the Crimes Against Children Unit at (727) 582-6483.

The investigation continues.

Booking photo: