Former foster father, Boy Scout leader to serve 42 years for sexual abuse of adopted son

A former Boy Scout leader and foster father who was found guilty of sexual abuse was sentenced to serve over four decades in prison on Oct. 4.

John Edwin Martin, who also goes by Ian, will serve 42 years for nine counts of second-degree statutory rape.

Three pairs of counts — counts 6 and 7, counts 8 and 9, and counts 10 and 11 — will run concurrent to one another but consecutively to remaining counts. Counts 12, 13 and 14 will run consecutively to one another and the remaining counts.

The nine counts that Martin was found guilty of have to do with an adopted son who is now an adult.

During the June trial, that victim alleged that various instances of abuse took place when he was in Martin's house between 2009 and 2010. The victim said he was forced to touch John Martin's genitals and that John Martin touched the victim's genitals. The victim also alleged that John Martin penetrated him anally with objects. He said the abuse stopped when he got older.

More: Former Boy Scout leader, foster father found guilty on 9 counts of sexual abuse

John Martin's defense attorney, Donovan Dobbs, said he was disappointed that his client did not receive probation and respectfully disagreed with Judge Kaiti Greenwade's decision. Another lawyer, Samuel Gearhart, is representing Martin in appealing the judgement, as Dobbs is a trial lawyer.

What happened in the Martin case?

A jury heard the case against Martin in June . The former law enforcement officer, who worked for several area sheriff's offices, was a Boy Scouts leader and foster father. There were 17 felony charges against Martin, four of which were sexual misconduct, nine of second-degree statutory sodomy and three of first-degree statutory sodomy.

During the two-day trial, three victims and Republic Police Department Det. James Stephenson testified against Martin. Two of the victims were former foster children in Martin's care and one was a member of his Boy Scout troop.

Six witnesses testified on behalf of Martin, including his domestic partner, sister, adopted sons and longtime friends. They testified that they never witnessed any instances of abuse and that they do not believe Martin would abuse children in his care.

In closing arguments, Dobb questioned why the victims never told anyone about the abuse — arguing that the two in foster care both had caseworkers, Boy Scout Leaders and other adults in their lives. The state countered that the traumatizing nature of sexual abuse, and cultural stigma as it pertains to men, prevented victims from speaking.

"We're guys. We don't talk about stuff like that," said one victim, who alleged that Martin abused him as a Boy Scout, when defense attorney Dobbs asked why he didn't tell a friend about the abuse. "I don't want people looking down on me."

The jury deliberated for seven hours on the case. After six hours, the court issued a "hammer instruction," which directs jurors that it is desirable to reach a decision in every case and that they should try to arrive at a verdict, according to the Missouri Bar Association. The jury found Martin guilty on nine counts regarding crimes committed against one foster son.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Former foster father, Boy Scout leader to serve 42 years for sexual abuse of adopted son