A Jefferson County jury on Friday found Rubel "Tim" Martinez, 68, guilty of sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust, concluding that prosecutors had proven a pattern of abuse. The verdict followed a four-day trial and less than three hours of deliberation. Martinez was taken into custody immediately after the decision and is scheduled for sentencing on March 9.
Verdict and trial details
Jurors convicted Martinez after hearing testimony that prosecutors said showed repeated sexual contact with a Lakewood High School student during the victim's junior and senior years, from 2014 to 2016, according to CBS Colorado. The First Judicial District Attorney's Office charged him with sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust - pattern of abuse. Martinez had remained free on bond following his August 2024 arrest but was detained after the guilty verdict, prosecutors said.
Jeffco ties and role at Lakewood High
Martinez worked as a campus security officer for Jefferson County Public Schools from 2006 to 2022 and also ran an after-school "Clown Club" at Lakewood High, according to local coverage. Investigators reported that he served as a pastor at Breakthrough Ministries in Dacono as well, a detail that emerged during the investigation. Prosecutors told reporters that those school and community roles helped create the access and authority that supported the "position of trust" charge, according to Denver7.
How the accusation surfaced
A former Lakewood High student contacted police in August 2024 to report the assaults, which investigators say took place both on and off school grounds and led to an immediate investigation and arrest. Early reports noted that detectives believed there could be additional victims and urged anyone with information to speak with investigators. As first reported when the arrest drew attention, Martinez continued working in community roles after leaving the district, as per Hoodline.
What the conviction means under Colorado law
Under Colorado law, the offense Martinez was convicted of is defined as sexual assault on a child by one in a position of trust. When prosecutors prove that the conduct was part of a pattern of abuse, the statute treats the crime as a class 3 felony, as outlined in Colorado Revised Statutes section 18-3-405.3 per Colorado Revised Statutes. A class 3 felony carries consequences beyond any prison term, including long-term sex offender supervision and restrictions related to parental-rights claims. The presumptive sentencing range for a class 3 felony in Colorado is roughly four to 12 years in prison, although judges weigh aggravating factors and other applicable statutes when deciding a sentence, according to Justia.
Broader Jeffco concerns
The conviction comes at a time when community groups and parents have been pressing Jeffco Public Schools about a series of staff misconduct and sexual assault allegations in recent years. A 2025 investigation by the Denver Gazette detailed multiple cases and highlighted calls from local advocates for stronger reporting and hiring safeguards in the district. Jeffco officials have told reporters that the district is reviewing its policies and working with law enforcement and child-advocacy partners while investigations and staff trainings continue.
What happens next
Martinez is scheduled to return to Jefferson County District Court for sentencing on March 9, when a judge will decide his prison term and any required supervision conditions, according to KKTV. News outlets covering the case reported that he was taken into custody immediately after the jury's decision and will remain jailed until the hearing. During the initial investigation, Lakewood police and prosecutors encouraged anyone with information related to the case to contact investigators.
