Baltimore youth pastor arrested for raping young girl, more than 30 years ago

Just after 11 a.m. on February 25, police from Baltimore County responded to a call of a past sexual assault on a child. Responding officers met with the victim, now an adult female, who told them that she was sexually assaulted by her youth pastor, Don Martin, approximately 30 years ago. The preliminary investigation revealed the victim was sexually assaulted at Martin’s home during a sleepover.

Investigators say that Martin was a youth pastor at a church in Rosedale during the time he allegedly sexually assaulted the young girl.

Don Giovanni Martin, 56, from the 600 block of China Clipper Lane in Essex, Maryland, was arrested yesterday, June 21, and charged with second-degree rape, second-degree sex offense and second-degree assault in connection to a rape that occurred more than 30 years ago.

As of yesterday, Martin was being detained at the Baltimore County Detention Center on a no bail status pending a bail review hearing.

The Baltimore County Police Crimes Against Children Unit believes there is a potential for victims of similar incidents involving this suspect.

“He’s had contact with a lot of young children at that time, and there may be a possibility there are others out there who have experienced the same thing that this woman has experienced,” said Detective Robert Reason, a Baltimore County Police spokesman. ~ CBS News, Baltimore

If anyone has information, you should contact detectives at 410-307-2020. Callers may remain anonymous.

If you have been the victim of a sexual assault, there is help available for you 24-hours a day. You can call the police non-emergency line at 410-887-2222 or contact any one of these resources: