Huntsville mother, neighbor of John Martin reacts to arrest

By Leah Jordan
WBRC
July 14, 2016

http://www.wbrc.com/story/32439606/huntsville-mother-neighbor-of-john-martin-reacts-to-arrest

John Martin

MADISON, AL (WAFF) -

"How are we supposed to know to protect our children?” That's the question neighbors of John Martin are asking following his arrest for possession and dissemination of child pornography.

Madison County deputies arrested Martin early Tuesday morning. They confiscated a desktop computer with images and videos of sexual abuse of children at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church where he worked. Investigators also searched his Huntsville home on Barcody Road.

"I'm shaking a little bit," said neighbor Kate McNeil. "I walk my kid through this neighborhood, like what if he approached me or followed me home?" 

WAFF 48 ran a statewide background check and found Martin had no criminal record in Alabama up until this arrest, which further concerns McNeil. 

“We don't want to go around being super paranoid and looking at everybody crossly," said McNeil. "But at the same point, that’s incredibly scary."

Church leaders said they are cooperating with the investigation. The pastor of the church released a statement saying he is “stunned by the accusations."

A WAFF 48 crew knocked on John Martin's door Wednesday hoping to talk to him and get some kind of explanation,
but nobody answered.

"The fact that it’s so close to home, it’s very scary," said McNeil. "It makes me want to batten down my hatches and not go out, but you can’t live your life that way,”