Philip Frederick Martin is a 53-year-old resident of 95 Wedgewood Lane in palm Coast, a home he’s owned almost for almost two decades. He makes his living as an Uber driver. He’d recently been in a relationship with a woman who had an 11-year-old daughter. The woman died. The girl’s grandparents allowed Martin to continue visiting with the young girl.
On July 2, Flagler County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the girl’s home on a report that Martin had allegedly sexually abused her, and that the abuse took place for over two years–from April 2017 through last June.
The girl reported that Martin would allegedly “massage” her and touch her in variously sexual ways, pressing her against him and attempting to kiss her on the mouth, acts the girl described as “weird.” She recalled him allegedly positioning her on his lap against his erect penis. She disclosed the incidents to family members in early July, and to a member of the Child Protection Team in a more formal forensic interview in mid-July.
Two detectives interviewed Martin in Late July at his Wedgewood Lane home. “During the interview,” his arrest report states, “Martin admitted to massaging [the alleged victim]’s buttocks, bare back, inner thigh, feet, shoulders, and sitting on his lap on more than one occasion while having an erect penis.” He said he “moved in a fashion as to feel” the girl pressed against his own genitals, and that he found the girl “attractive, and derived gratification from his actions” with her.
Following that interview, Martin requested to meet with detectives again. That interview took place at the Flagler Beach Police Department (where sheriff’s office detectives have had to hold many of their interviews for lack of interview rooms of their own since their evacuation of the Sheriff’s Operations Center in Bunnell). Martin “again admitted to touching [the girl] inappropriately, in the same manner described” in his earlier interview, the arrest report states.
Circuit Judge Chris France on Thursday (Nov. 7) signed a warrant for Martin’s arrest on two charges: Lewd or lascivious molestation on a child younger than 12, a first-degree felony, and attempted lewd and or lascivious molestation on a child, a second degree felony. The first charge exposes him to up to 30 years in prison if found guilty. He was booked at the Flagler County jail Thursday afternoon, where he remains on $100,000 bond.
“It is sad that he would take advantage of this child knowing that her mother had recently passed and traumatized this child again,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “The damage that he has done to this girl can never be undone.”
FPC Granny says
Just curious as to why it took “3” months to arrest this love life when it was reported on July 2nd and the scum even admitted to it?
Beulah I Pinion says
After that long of time, what responsibility falls on the City’s for this person’s actions after he admitted his actions.? Who is protecting this child ?
john32 says
he admitted it, Flagler will let him go, no questions asked.
Fair is Fair says
I wonder if he will get a life sentence like that guy from Bunnell
Jimbo99 says
““It is sad that he would take advantage of this child knowing that her mother had recently passed and traumatized this child again,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “The damage that he has done to this girl can never be undone.””
Stick around, the one thing I’ve observed & learned in this lifetime, this is but the next of a lifetime of traumatizing circumstances. There’s someone out there that will lower the bar for additional trauma. Who knows how the child became a child of a single mother household ? That probably is a sad tale in & of itself ? And from there each chapter of her life just gets worse.
Outside Looking Out says
Typical Flagler County. I’m sure he is hoping he’ll go before Judge Perkins and all will be forgotten maybe a week or two of probation.
Sting says
So sorry for this poor girl, but what does him being an Uber driver have to do with this? Yes that’s his profession but probably not necessary to put it in the headline.
Jp says
The state attorneys office doesn’t always give approval as quickly as we think it should happen. It’s not just like “he told the detective, done”. It’s a process.
FlaglerLive says
An individual whose work is based on interaction with the public and who faces weapons, assault or abuse charges of any sort–we think that employment does belong in the headline.
palmcoaster says
Correct FlaglerLive! He is a danger to his Uber passengers as well.
Resident says
Absolutely….it helps to know who you’re getting in the car with.
Mary Fusco says
So he abused her for 2 years while her mother was alive. The mother dies and the grandmother allows him to have access to her. Who the hell is crazy? These freaks look for women with young children. Absolutely disgusting.
Thetruth says
Wake up Justice system and stop allowing criminals to get off so easily. Do the job you are paid to do. This scum bag needs to be sent to prison for the rest of his life, he admitted the crime and now give him the time.
Sunshine1115 says
Please don’t predestine this child to a life of traumatic doom. Hopefully with the proper love, guidance, therapy and prayer she will be able to overcome these traumas and be a victor and a survivor.
She will have scars but with help her wounds can heal.
Dave says
Unless he has had prior offenses, I respectfully disagree. If Uber did a background check, and found nothing, then they did their due diligence, and naming them in this story does nothing more than stir public paranoia for the sake of a “shocking” headline.
Mama Dee says
Praying this girl survives and somehow finds a way to thrive. What a crappy hand of cards she’s been dealt! Hope this guy rots in prison. On a side note I know uber serves a purpose but it seems more and more low life scumbags are in the news and are working as uber drivers. I’ve urged my adult kids never to take an uber alone (2 daughters and 1 son). Truly hate what’s going on in the world today. Way worse than when I was growing up in the 60s.