CHALMETTE, La. — A Chalmette pastor was arrested by State Police on Wednesday on suspicion of sexual abuse of a minor over the course of three years.
A State Police spokesperson said in a press release that Milton O. Martin III, 56, was booked with carnal knowledge of a juvenile and sexual battery.
Martin was accused of having "sexual relations with a juvenile on multiple occasions" from 2010 to 2013, with a victim of unspecified gender who was between the ages of 14 and 17 at the time.
LSP said that the investigation has been open since November of 2022. Martin surrendered himself to authorities on Wednesday.
A spokesperson said that additional charges are possible the case is still being investigated.
Although the church where Martin serves was not identified by authorities, WWL-TV identified Martin as the current pastor for the First Pentecostal Church of Chalmette via their Facebook page.
Martin has held that position for more than 14 years, meaning the alleged abuse would have started shortly after he began that job.
"If anyone has additional information on this case or has been the victim of sexual battery by Milton Martin III, please contact the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit at 504-310-7011. Citizens can also anonymously report information through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting https://dpsweb.dps.louisiana.gov/suspicious.nsf/WebForm?OpenForm," the spokesperson said.
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