EDINBURG (TX)
ValleyCentral.com [Harlingen, TX]
July 29, 2026
By Shirley Escobedo, Lauren Sierra
A local pastor has been charged with indecency with a child, according to the Edinburg Police Department.
Police say Jorge Gonzalez Martinez, 49, was arrested Monday without incident following a police report that was filed earlier this month.
According to a police summary report obtained by ValleyCentral, Martinez was arrested at Iglesia Internacional Poder y Gloria in Edinburg.
ValleyCentral spoke to a woman who identified herself as Martinez’s wife, who said she could not comment on the case but maintained that her husband is innocent.
The alleged incidents happened between March and April 2025, according to investigators.
Edinburg police Chief Jaime Ayala said police began investigating after a girl made an outcry.
More children have come forward with allegations against Martinez, but the investigative findings did not rise to the level of more criminal offenses, Ayala said.
“Part of why we wanted to push this out, if there’s potentially any other victims that are out there, that have not made an outcry, maybe this helps them have the confidence to bring it forward so that we can investigate it and take the action that we need to take,” Ayala said.
Martinez was charged with three counts of indecency with a child sexual contact and indecency with a child – exposure on Tuesday.
A judge set bail at $300,000.
Hidalgo County jail records show Martinez was booked on Tuesday and remained in custody as of Wednesday afternoon.
The Edinburg Police Department continues to investigate the case.
Edinburg police encourage anyone with additional information or potential victims to contact police at (956) 289-7700 or Edinburg Crime Stoppers at (956) 383-8477.