An Oklahoma City man has been condemned to 20 years in federal prison for child sex trafficking, U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced. Marlon Dewayne Martin, 48, received the sentence after a series of events that involved the exploitation of a homeless minor for financial gain through commercial sex acts.
The case against Martin, according to public records, showed that he was deeply implicated in the trafficking of a female minor starting in September 2023. Martin was aware that the girl was under the age of 18 when, he began to exploit her for commercial sex. The trafficking included setting up sex dates, providing transportation, securing hotel rooms, and collecting the proceeds—activities that continued until February of 2024. It wasn't just sex trafficking; Martin also produced and distributed child pornography that featured the underage victim.
At the point of sentencing, U.S. District Judge David L. Russell underscored Martin's extensive criminal history, which includes an assortment of 15 convictions ranging from assault on a police officer to drug distribution. "The exploitation of minors is among the most reprehensible crimes we confront, and those who prey on children will face the full weight of the justice system," Troester stated. The sentence reflects the gravity of the offense and a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.
During the investigation run jointly by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and Homeland Security Investigations, Martin was charged by a federal grand jury on September 17, 2024. The trafficker pled guilty on February 7, 2025, admitting his role in arranging for the minor to engage in commercial sex. "The actions of Marlon Dewayne Martin could best be described as pure evil," expressed Donnie Anderson, Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. The successful prosecution and the subsequent sentence were a product of extensive investigative work and a push for justice, as Anderson told the U.S. Attorney's Office Western District.
Martin's sentencing contributes to the broader fight against child sexual exploitation under Project Safe Childhood (PSC), a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice. The project leverages resources at federal, state, and local levels to more effectively locate perpetrators and rescue victims. Martin now faces 240 months in federal prison, followed by supervised release for life.
