Adrian Tovar Martinez, a 44-year-old from Texas, has been given two life sentences for aggravated sexual assault and an additional 10-year sentence for obstruction/retaliation, according to the Aransas County Attorney’s Office. These sentences are in addition to a previous 20-year sentence Martinez received for another sexual assault in San Patricio County.
The incident occurred on October 2, 2013, when Martinez attacked S.H., a victim in Aransas Pass, while she was walking down a street. Martinez, initially unidentified, assaulted S.H. by striking her from behind and dragging her to a remote field. Despite S.H.’s efforts to defend herself, which included scratching Martinez to obtain his DNA, she sustained multiple injuries. The case remained unsolved for several years until DNA evidence linked Martinez to the crime in 2020.
In 2021, detectives identified Martinez as the suspect, and his DNA matched samples from S.H.’s case as well as another case in San Patricio County. The case was indicted in 2022, and after several delays, Martinez was found guilty on January 7, 2025. Testimonies from other victims, including M.O. and B.L., further emphasized Martinez’s pattern of sexual assaults. Judge Patrick Flanigan imposed the maximum sentences, ordering them to be served consecutively with Martinez’s existing 20-year sentence.
The Aransas County Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude to the Aransas Pass Police Department, the victims, and the Houston Forensic Science Center for their contributions to the case. Photographs of Martinez’s tattoos have been released in hopes of generating leads in other cases.