safety
Why 39 counts of possession of child pornography were dismissed against a former SAPD officer
By Zaria Oates, Jarryd Luna at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 27, 2026
· 4 min read
Matthew Martin, a former San Antonio Police officer, was facing 39 counts of possession of child pornography and a charge for stalking before all charges were dropped. Ben Sifuentes Jr. represented Martin as an attorney and told KSAT this case should have never been filed.According to the finding...
Key takeaway According to the findings of fact, Matthew Martin and his ex-fiancée, Ashley Pacheco, ended their relationship in January 2021.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The dismissal of 39 counts of possession of child pornography against former San Antonio Police officer Matthew Martin raises questions about the handling of evidence and the relationship between law enforcement and the community. The case highlights the importance of proper procedure in investigating and prosecuting crimes, particularly those involving sensitive and disturbing material like child pornography. In this instance, the Texas Fourth Court of Appeals opinion suggests that the search of Martin's phone may have been improper, given that his ex-fiancée, Ashley Pacheco, had taken the phone without his consent. The fact that SAPD officers were aware of this and still proceeded to search the phone has implications for the integrity of the investigation and the potential for similar cases in the future. As the community moves forward, it will be crucial to examine the protocols in place for handling evidence and ensuring that the rights of all individuals are respected.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Matthew Martin, a former San Antonio Police officer, was facing 39 counts of possession of child pornography and a charge for stalking before all charges were dropped. Ben Sifuentes Jr. represented Martin as an attorney and told KSAT this case should have never been filed.According to the finding...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Zaria Oates, Jarryd Luna at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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