A federal grand jury has indicted a former employee of the Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department on charges related to the production and possession of child pornography. Stephen Michael Martinez, 44, from Los Angeles’ Sawtelle neighborhood, faces two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.
Martinez worked as an after-school care employee for the Culver City Afterschool Recreation Program from June 2020 to June 2025. According to court documents, law enforcement was alerted on July 14 that Martinez allegedly coerced a 7-year-old girl in his care into producing sexually explicit photographs while he was employed at the program.
Authorities arrested Martinez on July 16 for suspicion of committing lewd and lascivious acts on a minor. He was later transferred to federal custody on July 23 and is currently being held without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for August 29 in United States District Court in Los Angeles.
The indictment alleges criminal conduct but does not constitute proof; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted on all charges, Martinez would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Culver City Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mills (Domestic Security and Immigration Crimes Section) and Kelsey A. Stimson (Major Crimes Section) are prosecuting the case.
