NEW JERSEY
The Daily Beast
After Gregorio Martinez was convicted of sexually abusing a boy, he vanished. Two reporters working on one tip did what law enforcement couldn’t: Find him.
KATIE ZAVADSKI
It took a jury 30 minutes to find preacher Gregorio Martinez guilty of molesting a 13-year-old boy.
The New Jersey preacher was convicted February 2015 of aggravated criminal sexual contact, child abuse, and endangering the welfare of a child, for which he was expected to be sentenced to probation.
But more accusers came forward before the sentencing phase began, opening up the possibility of more prosecution for Martinez.
Facing at least a decade in prison, Martinez disappeared.
For the next year and a half police, U.S. Marshals and prosecutors searched in vain for the pervert pastor. It was only thanks to two journalists that he was found—living 2,000 miles away.
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