ALLENTOWN, PA —A local man has been arrested and charged with multiple sexual offenses, including child rape, human trafficking, sexual assault, and a slew of other related charges.
Joshua “Mickey” Martel, 31, of Allentown, was taken into custody by U.S. Marshals in Tamaqua on Wednesday, September 4th, 2024.
According to authorities, Martel is accused of raping and sexually assaulting two young girls.
In the first reported case, a 12-year-old girl told a guardian on July 31st, 2024, that her mother had sold her to Martel for cash and drugs at a Super 8 hotel on Airport Road in Allentown, PA, sometime between April 24th and 25th, 2024.
The victim was reportedly dropped off at the hotel with her siblings and, after witnessing an exchange between her mother and Martel, was subsequently sexually and physically assaulted while left alone in his presence.
The girl attempted to flee from Martel but was unable to do so.
In the second case, a school resource officer received a tip that a 13-year-old victim may be with Martel at the same Super 8 hotel where the previous incident took place.
Police say that on May 21st, 2024, the girl was picked up from school by an Uber and did not return to school the next day.
When officers arrived at the scene, they found the victim with Martel in his hotel room, and she told officers that he had sexually assaulted her.
Martel was arraigned on September 4th before Magisterial District Judge Michael D’Amore, and bail was set at $500,000 for both cases combined.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 10th.
Detective Suzanne Toth of the Allentown Police spearheaded the investigation into Martel’s offenses, with Chief Deputy District Attorney Sara Moyer overseeing the prosecution.
The case can be found here: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Joshua Mickey Martel
