Henrico firefighter accused of having, sharing child sex abuse material
VENN
HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Henrico County Master firefighter is accused of possessing and distributing child sex abuse material (CSAM).
On Tuesday, July 15, 43-year-old Brian Godfrey Martin of Hanover County was arrested and hit with nearly a dozen CSAM-related charges in connection with a year-long investigation.
In July 2024, the Hanover County Sheriff's Office began looking into a tip it received from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force regarding a Hanover resident possibly possessing CSAM.
According to the sheriff's office, Martin was identified as a suspect, leading to his arrest.
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Martin is a Master firefighter with the Henrico County Division of Fire, which he has been a part of since 2012.
In response to his arrest, Henrico Fire Chief Jackson Baynard issued a statement, in which he announced that Martin was suspended without pay. That suspension took effect immediately.
Baynard's full statement reads as follows:
"The Henrico County Division of Fire is aware of charges filed this afternoon by the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office against Master Firefighter Brian G. Martin. Mr. Martin has been employed by Henrico since September 2012 and most recently was assigned to Short Pump Fire Station 19.
Due to the nature of the charges against him, Mr. Martin has been suspended without pay, effective immediately.
In addition, the Division of Fire’s Professional Standards unit will conduct an independent investigation into matters associated with Mr. Martin’s employment. Inquiries about the criminal investigation should be directed to the Hanover Sheriff’s Office." Chief Jackson Baynard of Henrico County Division of Fire
The 11 charges Martin currently faces include:
- One count of felony possession of CSAM
- Seven counts of felony possession of CSAM, second or subsequent offense
- One count of felony distribution of CSAM
- Two counts of felony distribution of CSAM, second or subsequent offense
If you have any information on this ongoing case, you are asked to contact the Hanover County Sheriff's Office at 804-365-6140.
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