Attorney General Raúl Labrador has announced the arrest of James Martin, 32, in Pocatello, Idaho. The arrest was made by investigators from the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and the Pocatello Police Department, in collaboration with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Martin was taken into custody on February 13, 2025, under charges related to coercion and enticement of a child for sexual activity.
The investigation began on January 25, 2025, when an HSI Reno Task Force Officer engaged in an online conversation with Martin. The officer posed as a 13-year-old girl. On February 13, Martin arranged to meet the supposed child in Pocatello. He was arrested at the meeting location without incident by a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
“Every ICAC arrest makes our communities safer by taking these predators out of circulation,” stated Attorney General Labrador. He expressed gratitude for the work done by the ICAC Unit to protect children from exploitation and highlighted the importance of partnerships across the state for swift action.
Matthew Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge at ICE HSI Seattle, emphasized that this arrest is crucial in protecting society's most vulnerable members. “By working together with our law enforcement partners, we will continue to target online predators,” he said.
The operation involved cooperation between several agencies including ICAC Task Force, Pocatello Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (Nevada), and Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.
Pocatello Police Department Chief Roger Schei praised the collaborative effort: “This is a testament to the power of relationships. Many agencies came together to make this arrest happen.”
Authorities encourage anyone with information about child exploitation to contact local police or relevant organizations such as the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The ICAC Unit collaborates with federal, state, and local agencies through the Idaho ICAC Task Force to investigate internet-based crimes against children. Additional resources are available at ICACIdaho.org for parents and educators seeking more information.