State investigators are putting out a fresh call for the public's help in finding Douglas Martinez, a convicted sex offender wanted out of Shelby County. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has featured Martinez in its "Fugitive Friday" bulletin and says he may be moving through the Nashville, Memphis or Atlanta areas. Authorities allege Martinez failed to comply with Tennessee's sex offender registry and the terms of his community supervision, and local law enforcement is stressing that anyone who thinks they spot him should contact investigators rather than try to handle it themselves.
In its latest "Fugitive Friday" post, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified Martinez as wanted out of Shelby County and released a photo along with basic details to help the public recognize him, including the three cities where he might be traveling, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
How to report a sighting
If you believe you have seen Martinez, authorities want to hear from you, but they do not want you walking up to him. The Shelby County Sheriff's non-emergency line is (901) 379-7625, according to the Shelby County Sheriff's Office. Tips can also go to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at its hotline, 1-800-TBI-FIND, or by emailing [email protected]. Officials caution the public not to confront anyone they suspect may be the fugitive and to call 911 if there is any immediate threat to safety.
Court record and background
Court filings show that a person named Douglas Martinez entered a guilty plea in Shelby County in 2014 to attempted aggravated sexual battery and was ordered to register as a sex offender, according to records from the Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals. Public dockets also list filings by a Douglas Martinez in 2025 related to alleged conditions at Shelby County jail facilities, with those federal court documents appearing in the public record through federal court dockets.
Legal implications
Tennessee's Sexual Offender Registration, Verification and Tracking Act requires qualifying offenders to register and report as directed, and a knowing failure to comply is a prosecutable violation under the statute. State courts have treated those failures as criminal offenses that can bring felony-level exposure, according to state opinions and statutory guidance. For more detail on how Tennessee courts apply the law, see Tennessee Court opinions.
Why the public matters
The TBI regularly leans on its "Fugitive Friday" posts to widen the search for wanted suspects and draw in community tips, a tactic that has been covered by local outlets as a way to boost law enforcement's reach. If you have information that could help locate Martinez, officials want you to share it with the agencies above, not to confront anyone you think might be the subject of this bulletin.
