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Police Believe Sex Assault Suspect Preyed On 140 Underage Girls

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- Investigators believe that a child sex assault suspect may have had contact with 140 underage girls in at least six states, at least 30 of those girls were in Colorado.

Police in Colorado Springs began investigating Anthony Martinez in November 2014 after receiving information that he may have been involved in a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old girl.

As a result of that investigation, police obtained an arrest warrant in May and with the help of Homeland Security and Arizona law enforcement, arrested Martinez, 25, in Flagstaff, Ariz. on May 11.

Police said following an extensive investigation into his background, Martinez is accused of having various degrees of contact with 140 underage girls in at least six states, including at least 30 in Colorado between 2011 and 2015.

Anthony Martinez
Anthony Martinez (credit: Facebook)

Investigators said Martinez would find girls through social media and in many instances would allegedly make plans to meet up. While chatting online, police said Martinez may have sent girls photos of himself and asked them for photos of themselves or family members.

Detectives are trying to identify anyone who may have had contact with Martinez either in person or online. Anyone who believes they may have had contact with Martinez is asked to call Colorado Springs Police at 719.444.7000.

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