Carmel guy groomed and sexually made use of teenager; sentenced to 23 years

CARMEL, Ind.-- A Carmel male took advantage of a vulnerable teenager and exploited the 15-year-old for sexual gain. Now, he'll invest nearly 23 years in federal jail.

Thomas Cade Martin, 27, pleaded guilty to distribution of minors participated in sexually explicit conduct and ownership of kid sexual abuse material. He likewise admitted to sexually making use of a teenager, stated the U.S. Attorney's Office Southern District of Indiana.

A federal judge sentenced Martin to 275 months in prison followed by 20 years on supervised release where Martin need to register as a sex transgressor.

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" Martin sexually abused and exploited a 15-year-old boy, having acquired his love and trust online. Taking advantage of susceptible teens for sexual gain is a despicable criminal offense that merits substantial jail time," stated U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Carmel cops started examining Martin in late 2022 after receiving a report that Martin was exploiting a teenage young boy. Martin supposedly fulfilled the victim on Grindr and lied about his identity and age.

Cops said Martin groomed the victim, purchasing the victim provides and taking him out to supper. Martin even bought the victim a birthday cake on his birthday.

They discovered photographs of Martin and the victim taken during their several meetups when investigators searched Martin's phone.

" The sentence imposed today should act as a cautioning to would-be groomers and wrongdoers: if you solicit and make use of minors for sex, you will spend many years in federal prison," Myers stated.

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In addition to Martin's sentence, he was ordered to pay $10,000 in restitution.

"The work done by all involved in Mr. Martin's case shows our devotion to safeguarding our most valuable asset, our children. This kind of abhorrent crime simply will not be endured," stated Carmel Police Chief Drake Sterling.

A booking image of Thomas Martin was not made available.