Posted at: 05/22/2009 10:14 PM
Updated at: 05/22/2009 10:18 PM
By: Cris Ornelas, Eyewitness News 4; Charlie Pabst, KOB.com

Ice cream truck driver accused of luring boys for sex acts

Jeff Martinez

Rio Rancho police arrested an ice cream man they say was preying on teenage boys. They say he tried to perform sex acts on the boys he hired to work for him in the ice cream truck that he owned.

Officials say 42-year-old Jeff Martinez lured the three teenage boys by offering them summer jobs. They say when he had them alone, he offered them money if they would allow him to perform oral sex on them.

Two Rio Rancho parents who asked to not be identified are trying to cope with the fact that the friendly neighborhood ice cream man is accused of inappropriately touching their children.

�We felt this guy is totally legit. Cleanest ice cream truck around� clean guy,� they said Friday night.

Rio Rancho cops say two, 15-year-old boys and a 16-year-old boy fell prey to Martinez. All three boys lived a few doors apart in a quiet Rio Rancho neighborhood.

Cops say Martinez offered all three jobs working on his ice cream truck this summer, but, they say, it was more than work Martinez wanted.

"He had offered to perform sexual acts on them and pay them $50," Rio Rancho Officer John Francis told Eyewitness News 4.

Police started investigating Martinez after the teens told their parents.

One of the victims� parents said, "He was basically in a state of shock. He didn't know what to do with it. He still is he's very scared� he's stirred up."

Police say Martinez also touched the boys� genitals and buttocks, which is why he has been charged with criminal sexual contact of a minor.

The parents say they�re outraged that Martinez bonded out of jail Thursday night.

"We have an animal out on the street right now selling ice cream to children,� they said.

No one answered the door at Martinez� home Friday night. If convicted, he will have to register as a sex offender.