Brewton man arrested for child solicitation

Published 6:35 pm Tuesday, August 17, 2021

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A Brewton man was arrested and charged with electronic solicitation, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful act and drug possession, according to the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Heath Jackson said in a release that Blake Thomas Martin was charged with electronic solicitation of a child, traveling to meet a child for an unlawful act, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of marijuana II and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia. His bond was set at $500,000.

Jackson said on Aug. 5, 2021, investigators with the ECSO, along with investigators assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) initiated a criminal investigation involving sexual misconduct with an underage child.

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“During the investigation, law enforcement had received texts that were meant for an underage child and due to the nature of the texts, an undercover operation was conducted,” Jackson said. “The suspect, identified as Blake Thomas Martin, sent messages asking for sex and even stated that he knew it was illegal to have sex with someone under 16 years old.”

Jackson said on Aug. 13, investigators, posing as the child, agreed to Martin’s request for sex.

“Martin came to the agreed location and was arrested by investigators immediately,” he said. “A search of Martin’s pockets revealed three condoms, one breath mint, one Viagra, marijuana and one Oxycodone. A search warrant was also executed at Martin’s residence in the 3000 block of Keego Road. During the search, electronic devices and Methamphetamine was located and seized.”