An Arizona man, Martin Brandon Gillen, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and sexually assaulting a victim at gunpoint while transporting her across state lines. Additionally, he received a 95-year sentence for related offenses, which will run concurrently with his life sentence.
Gillen, aged 27 from Phoenix, pleaded guilty to several charges including kidnapping, sexual exploitation of a minor, transportation for criminal sexual activity, transportation of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
The case dates back to late 2021 when Gillen initiated an online relationship with a then-17-year-old female. He coerced her into sending sexually explicit content and later used these materials to threaten her. In March 2024, Gillen traveled to Illinois to meet the victim and transported her through Missouri to Kansas while subjecting her to multiple assaults.
Authorities discovered Gillen and the victim in Kansas with the help of the Iola Police Department. Upon arrest, officers found him in possession of a firearm and other items. His cell phone contained numerous images and videos of child sexual abuse materials. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents also found evidence on his phone linking him to the abuse of another unrelated minor from Utah.
The investigation involved HSI along with police departments from Iola and New Baden in Illinois as well as the Illinois State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Hart led the prosecution.
This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child sexual exploitation through coordinated efforts by federal, state, and local agencies.
For further details on Project Safe Childhood visit: https://www.justice.gov/psc