A federal grand jury has indicted a former Culver City after-school recreation employee on charges of producing and possessing child pornography involving a 7-year-old girl in his care.
Stephen Michael Martinez, 44, from the Sawtelle area of Los Angeles, faces two counts of production of child pornography and one count of possession. He is currently being held without bond following his arrest on July 23. His arraignment is scheduled for August 29 at the United States District Court in Los Angeles.
According to court documents, Martinez worked as an after-school care employee for the Culver City Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department from June 2020 to June 2025. Authorities allege that while employed by the program, he coerced a young girl into producing sexually explicit photographs.
Law enforcement learned about the alleged conduct on July 14. Police arrested Martinez on July 16 on suspicion of lewd acts with a minor before transferring him to federal custody one week later.
“An indictment contains allegations. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
If convicted on all counts, Martinez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years in federal prison.
The investigation is being conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Culver City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher M. Mills and Kelsey A. Stimson.
