EXCLUSIVE: WA judge releases repeat-offending 'violent', 'dangerous' convicted pedophile without bail 5 times in 2 months

A Washington state judge has repeatedly released a violent, repeat offender with an extensive criminal history, including sex crimes against women and children, from jail without bail. Kenneth Christopher Martinez, 44, of Walla Walla, was arrested five times between October and December on charges including assault, domestic violence, criminal trespassing, and violating a protection order. Walla Walla County Judge Kristian E. Hedine released him from jail without bail in each of those cases, court records show.

A concerned resident contacted The Post Millennial about the matter, claiming that Martinez, a registered level III sex offender who has a conviction for raping a 9-month-old infant, has allegedly shown up at their residence repeatedly in recent weeks to stalk a new female victim. But because Judge Hedine continues to release Martinez from custody, they say they fear for their safety.

Martinez has been convicted of first-degree child molestation, first-degree sexual abuse, third-degree rape, and failure to register as a sex offender. He has a history of stalking and has spent years in prison. Multiple women have been granted protection orders against him, court filings show.


Kenneth Christopher Martinez is a violent convicted pedophile who has spent years in prison for sex crimes against women and children

On November 2, 2024, Martinez was arrested by the Walla Walla County Sheriff's Office for returning to the home of a female victim who had a protection order placed against him. He was booked into jail on criminal trespassing charges and violating and protection order. Judge Hedine released him from jail without bail two days later, according to jail records.

Prior to his November release, Martinez was arrested on October 4 for criminal trespass and was released from custody the following day based on his own recognizance. On October 7, he was arrested by the Walla Walla Police Department on obstruction charges and was released the next day. Martinez was arrested again on October 26 for assault. He was released from jail two days later. Judge Hedine released him from custody in each of these cases.






Martinez has an extensive criminal history dating back to 1996 when he was convicted of sexually abusing a 9-month-old infant, according to court records. In 2000, he pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a female victim and was sentenced to 180 days in Walla Walla County jail followed by one year of supervised probation, court filings show.
 

According to court records, Martinez failed to register as a sex offender in 2002 and was sentenced back to jail for 51 days, along with 12 months of supervised release. In 2003, he failed to register again and was sentenced to 270 days behind bars. Martinez also broke probation in that case, per court filings.

In 2004, Martinez was arrested on charges including second-degree robbery, first-degree theft, hit and run, and third-degree malicious mischief. The robbery charge was dropped as part of a plea deal. He was sentenced back to jail for 5.8 years but was granted an early release after serving roughly 3 years of that sentence, according to court filings.

Shortly after his release from jail, Martinez was arrested on kidnapping and rape charges in 2007. The victim was a 32-year-old mentally disabled woman. According to court records, Martinez pleaded guilty to third-degree rape and received a 5-year prison sentence followed by 48 months of supervised release. While in custody, Martinez attempted to escape and received an additional 270 days in jail.

Upon his release from jail, Martinez continued to reoffend.

In 2017, Martinez was taken into custody on charges including residential burglary-domestic violence, third-degree theft, and violation of a protection order. He was sentenced to 2 years in jail, along with 12 months of supervised probation. In June 2019, he was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, theft of a motor vehicle, and violating a protection order. He received a 60-month jail sentence but was granted an early release in 2021, records show.

Since his 2021 release from custody, Martinez racked up a series of traffic violations before his most recent arrests in late 2024.

Despite Martinez's serious criminal history, Judge Hedine has continued to release him back into the public and he is now targeting a new female victim. Hedine was elected to the Walla Walla District Court in 2010. He later became the presiding judge in 2014 and was most recently reelected in 2022, according to his judicial biography.