FORT HOOD, Texas — Capt. Adam W. Martin spent more than two decades in uniform portraying himself as an officer who mitigated risk to people, organizations and the environment. On Nov. 25, the Army determined he was the risk.
According to the Army Office of Special Trial Counsel, Martin, 40, a Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) officer assigned to the 48th Chemical Brigade, pleaded guilty to 12 specifications of rape and sexual assault of a child, one specification of attempted sexual assault of a child and one specification of obstruction of justice. He was sentenced by a military judge to 25 years in prison and dismissal from the Army, consistent with the terms of a plea agreement.
OSTC officials said Martin sexually abused a minor family member on multiple occasions between April 2021 and January 2025 while stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Wainwright, Alaska; and Fort Hood. The abuse came to light when the victim reported it to a school counselor after returning from Christmas break in early 2025. The counselor notified Child Protective Services, which coordinated with Army Criminal Investigation Division agents to begin an investigation.
Prosecutors said the case demonstrates that Martin’s rank and command position didn’t shield him from accountability. Capt. Kristyn Dial, a prosecutor with OSTC’s Fifth Circuit, said the verdict showed that “no rank can shield a criminal from accountability.” Capt. Stacey Fernandez, a prosecutor with III Armored Corps, said Martin abused the victim for years and even attempted to persuade her to recant after she reported him.
CID’s Central Texas Field Office and the Harker Heights Police Department jointly investigated the case. Martin will serve his sentence at the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. Upon release, he will be required to register as a sex offender.
Martin’s Army career
Martin served more than 22 years in the Army, rising from an enlisted electronics repairer to a commissioned CBRN officer and eventually a company commander. His assignments included operations, maintenance, and emergency management roles across multiple installations, along with service as a Psychological Operations team chief. He most recently worked as a brigade plans officer, assistant operations officer and company commander with the 48th Chemical Brigade at Fort Hood.
Throughout his career, Martin held positions responsible for personnel safety, hazardous materials management and risk mitigation. Prosecutors noted that contrast in court, emphasizing that while Martin outwardly built a career around safety and readiness, he was simultaneously abusing a child in his own household for years.
Separate state case still active
Despite the military sentence, Martin also faces a separate felony case in Bell County. Jail and court records show he was booked into the Bell County Jail on March 20, 2025, on a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a young child under 14, a first-degree felony under Texas Penal Code 21.02. He was listed as entering the jail from Fort Hood confinement.
The state case, filed as 25DCR91605 in the 478th Judicial District Court, remains active. Over several months, the docket reflected motions to reduce bond, hearings, counsel substitutions and procedural filings. In June, the court agreed to reduce his bond to $50,000 after the Army placed Martin into pretrial confinement, with Martin waiving his right to a military magistrate hearing. He posted bond on June 16 and later waived arraignment. A pretrial hearing is scheduled for Dec. 12, 2025.
The state charge is separate from the military conviction. In that case, Martin is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
“No rank can shield a criminal from accountability”
Army officials emphasized the victim’s courage in reporting years of abuse and cooperating with investigators. CID Special Agent in Charge Lane Allen called her actions “remarkable,” noting that the outcome reflects persistence and interagency coordination aimed at protecting children.
The case is among the most serious child sexual abuse prosecutions handled by the Army since the establishment of OSTC, the independent prosecutorial office created to improve accountability in major crimes such as sexual assault and domestic violence.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual abuse or assault, confidential help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673 or via online chat at rainn.org. Military personnel and families may also contact the DoD Safe Helpline for confidential support.
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