Hendry County detectives requested a warrant and on Aug. 14, 2023, arrested 65-year-old Bruce Allen Martens, of Live Oak, on charges of sexual battery on victim under the age of 12.

HCSO detectives received information regarding a sexual battery case from Okeechobee, after they were able to determine the crimes against the children occurred in Hendry County. The deep dive into locating the victims, interviewing them and obtaining numerous records began in April of 2022.

The victims, later identified as relatives to Martens, related to detectives that they remembered as young children between the ages of 5 and 10 being repeatedly sexually battered by Martens.

This was brought to the attention of law enforcement as one of the victims expressed concerns that Martens may be abusing his grandchildren. Victims reported these acts would occur while he was babysitting them in the absence of their parents.

HCSO detectives along with deputies took 65-year-old Bruce Allen Martens into custody and transported him to the Hendry County Jail where he is being held on two counts of sexual battery on a victim under 12 years of age. Marten is currently being held on $1,000,000 bond.