LEE COUNTY, Fla. — Zachary Scott Martinson, a former deputy with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, was arrested Monday on charges of domestic violence and child abuse.
The arrest followed an investigation initiated by the sheriff’s office after receiving a report of a domestic violence incident involving Martinson in late January. Court documents reveal that the investigation uncovered incidents of assault against a woman Martinson was living with, as well as abuse directed at three children residing in the home.
The sheriff’s office reported that Martinson’s actions included physical and mental harm to the children, and electronic evidence revealed he had made threats towards one of them. According to the arrest warrant, between January 22 and January 23, Martinson repeatedly abused a child, with potential for serious injury. Additionally, he was charged with battery against a family member for striking the woman, against her will.
On January 27, Martinson allegedly sent threatening communications to one of the children, stating his intent to harm them.
Martinson voluntarily turned himself in to the Lee County Jail on Monday. He was subsequently fired from his position with the sheriff’s office.
His arrest marks the third deputy under investigation in the past month. Last week, Deputy Matthew Curbelo faced a judge following allegations he dragged his 9-year-old daughter by the hair. Curbelo was not arrested and remains employed while an internal review is underway.
Earlier in January, Michael Molinaro, who had only been on the job for a month, was investigated and fired as a Pennsylvania police chief after facing allegations of falsifying documents and insubordination.
Concerns about the growing number of incidents within the sheriff’s office have prompted residents like Joyce Campagna to question whether there are systemic issues within the department. These concerns are compounded by an ongoing FBI investigation into money laundering allegations involving Sheriff Carmine Marceno, although he has not made any public statements on the matter.
NBC-2 also sought an interview with Sheriff Marceno regarding the recent investigations but was unable to secure a meeting.
