Conservative Babylon

Claims to fame: Pastor of Temecula Valley Baptist Church (California); child rapist; and — yes! — another Hyles Anderson graduate

Moral apex: Raped a 14-year-old girl in his office at the Temecula Valley (CA) Baptist Church, in July, 1997.

How his cover was blown: A cleaning crew walked in on him “kissing, groping and sexually assaulting” the girl — bringing to an end some 20 months of abusing the teenager.

Proof that sex offenders are incurable — and incurably stupid: Accoring to the Riverside Press-Enterprise, “While awaiting trial, the pastor was arrested for soliciting an undercover police officer for oral sex on University Avenue in Riverside.”

Where he is now: Off the streets and rotting away in prison, thank God. Convicted of “20 counts each of lewd and lascivious behavior and five counts each of rape and statutory rape,” the slimeball was sentenced to more than 205 years.

Saying “our children need protecting” from sexual predators … Riverside County Superior Court Judge Russell F. Schooling handed down the sentence two years to the day after the teen-ager first accused Martin of kissing, groping and sexually assaulting her…

Martin’s friends and family sought leniency, saying he had learned his lesson and would never commit similar actions. But the victim said Martin’s behavior devastated her and left her estranged from her family.

Schooling called the sentencing one of the most difficult he has faced in 25 years on the bench.

“I have agonized and prayed about this,” Schooling said. “I have no way of knowing when or if my children or grandchildren will be safe in a church setting if they encounter Kerry Martin on someone like him. We have to stand as a civilized society. We cannot stand by idly and watch this activity occur. Our children need protecting.

“We can’t send (children) the message that it’s not bad for people to molest you. I guarantee I will not do that. If he becomes a productive citizen, it will be within the confines of a prison setting.”

Prosecutor Deena Bennett said unless his sentence is reversed on an expected appeal, she expects Martin to die behind bars.

Ex-pastor is sent to prison
Press-Enterprise
July 17, 1999

What’s worse: That 14-year-old was (probably) not the only victim. According to the Press-Enterprise: “Three other women testified during Martin’s trial that … the charismatic minister used his charm and position as a youth pastor at other churches to befriend and later molest them.”

What’s worse? How about a Blame-the-Victim Twinkie Defense: “[Martin’s attorney, Dale Earven] did not deny that Martin was sexually involved with the girl but has said that the former minister never forced the girl into any physical encounter.” [Press-Enterprise]

Is there anything worse than that? How about a pastor more concerned about the image of his church than about the safety and well-being of any child?

In a letter, Pastor Paul Mershon, who took over from Martin at Temecula Valley Baptist Church, said Martin’s actions have “compromised and damaged” the church. The congregation’s young people are “cynical, skeptical and not trusting of church leadership” as a result.

“It may well take years to restore our testimony here in Temecula, if ever,” Mershon wrote. “Our church has been horribly stigmatized by the sins of one man.” [Press-Enterprise]

Is there anything worse than that? Depends on your point of view — but we say, yeah, much worse… like a wife utterly drowning in denial (which ain’t just a river in Egypt, ya know), who pleads for leniency so her child-molester husband can be near her own child:

Martin’s wife, Kristal Martin, also pleaded for a lesser sentence. The Martins have a 4-year-old son, and Kristal Martin is pregnant with another son due in October. Tears streamed down her face as she addressed the court as her husband sobbed quietly at the defendant table.

Kristal Martin said her husband has undergone counseling that “has changed him completely.

“We have a son who loves his dad very much,” Kristal Martin said. “Consider mercy so that our children might have the opportunity to be with their dad. I love him very much.” [Press-Enterprise]

We suggest you also read: The story of the victim, “Becky J.,” in her own words.

Suggested Bible reading for Mr. Martin:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

— Genesis 2:17

Suggested Bible reading for Mrs. Kristal Martin:

His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.

— Isaiah 56:10