Jan 07, 2025
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) - A man once trusted by the Hartford community will now spend 10 years in prison for child pornography. 32-year-old Joel Martens, a former chiropractor and coach, was sentenced in court Tuesday after hearing from his victim, who was also his patient. We first told you about Martens in July 2023 when he was arrested for having sexual contact with a 16-year-old in 2021 at Lemke's Fitness and Training in Hartford. According to court documents, that's where he first used his hands to penetrate the girl during her workout. The two later had sex at the ChiroSport clinic in Hartford. Court documents say it happened more than 100 times during appointments and twice at Martens' home. SDDOC’s first Lincoln Co. visit since prison location announced His victim spoke at his sentencing hearing saying while the Hartford community looked up to him he was destroying her life. She said Martens manipulated her and made her feel guilty when she wanted things to stop. The attorney for the State went on to say 30 to 40 images and videos of child porn were found on Martens' devices including videos of him and the victim having sex. The attorney said this was not a case of two consenting adults but rather a 'horror story for a child.' Martens also gave a statement in court, asking the judge to speak directly to the full gallery of people behind him. Apologizing to multiple people by first name he said 'I am 100 percent responsible for all of this.' Martens' lawyer asked the judge to consider probation instead of prison time saying the photos were never shared or used for currency but rather were deleted after the relationship ended.He also argued there were no clear signals showing it wasn't consensual. In the end, Minnehaha County Judge Sandra Hoglund Hanson said there was control and grooming involved as well as inappropriateness before the victim was even 16 that was leading to more. She noted that the victim may have been a teenager, but she was still a kid. In addition to child pornography, Martens pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of a minor and sexual contact with a child by a person in authority. The judge gave him suspended sentences for those crimes, so he won't have to serve additional time but he will have to register as a sex offender.
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