Casper Police Department
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A jury Wednesday afternoon found a Casper resident guilty of one count of first-degree sexual abuse of a child and one count of second-degree sexual abuse of child in March after a three-day trial in Natrona County District Court.

The six-woman, six-man jury deliberated for about two hours before reaching its decision to convict Miguel Alberto Martinez, who identifies as female and is also known as Michelle. (Featured in the photo above.)

Martinez raped a 10-year-old girl in her bathroom of her apartment in March.

In May, Martinez pleaded not guilty.

With the conviction, state law says Martinez faces between 25 years and 70 years of imprisonment.

Upon hearing the verdict, Martinez's mother cried and sobbed loudly, saying "we know you didn't do this."

After Judge Catherine Wilking dismissed the jury, she granted Natrona County District Attorney Michael Blonigen's request to order Martinez be held in custody without bond.

As he was being handcuffed, Martinez said he will appeal the decision. Other family members said they knew Martinez didn't rape the girl.

Martinez said the trial was about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

After leaving the courtroom and being led in the hall for prisoners, Martinez shouted, "there is no evidence."

The trial began Monday.

 

The state rested its case before noon Wednesday after Blonigen called numerous witnesses to testify including family members, family friends, law enforcement officers, a sexual assault nurse examiner from the Wyoming Medical Center, a forensic interviewer from the Children's Advocacy Project, a forensic biologist with the Wyoming State Laboratory, and the girl herself.

Public Defender Dylan Rosalez did not call any witnesses to testify.

After the jury was dismissed before closing arguments, Martinez conferred with Rosalez and Martinez declined to testify on his own behalf, saying Blonigen has portrayed Martinez as an out-of -control drunk.

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