- December 2, 2024
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By: Shannon Martin
Public Affairs Officer, Flagler County Sheriff's Office
Flagler County Sheriff’s Office deputies have arrested Palm Coast resident Phillip Martin, 53, on a charge of molesting an 11-year-old girl.
On July 2, the FCSO responded to a call for a sex offense. During the investigation, the 11-year-old victim told deputies that she had been inappropriately touched for over a year by Martin, a former boyfriend of the child’s now deceased mother.
Further investigation revealed that Martin was allowed to continue to visit the child after the mother’s passing and the abuse would occur during these visits when the victim’s grandparents left the room. The victim also stated that when she would try to pull away from Martin during times of unwanted touching, he would pull her back and restrain her.
On July 29, FCSO detectives met with Martin at his home located on Wedgewood Lane in Palm Coast to hear his side of the story. During questioning, Martin admitted to inappropriately touching and groping the child. The reason he gave for his behavior was that he found her attractive and derived gratification from the acts.
On Thursday, Nov. 7, a warrant was signed for Martin’s arrest. Deputies immediately responded to his residence and took him into custody just after 12 p.m.
“I am very proud of our team for getting this pervert off of the streets and behind bars before he could hurt this child any further,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “It is sad that he would take advantage of this child knowing that her mother had recently passed and traumatized this child again. The damage that he has done to this girl can never be undone. I hope he spends the rest of his life in jail where he belongs.”
Martin was booked into the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. He is charged with lewd and lascivious molestation on a child under the age of 12 and will be held with no bond.
