Republic’s Martin guilty of multiple counts of statutory sodomy

Felon acquitted of multiple other charges in case; sentencing hearing scheduled for Sept. 12
A Republic man was convicted of nine counts of second-degree statutory sodomy on Thursday, June 27, at the Greene County Justice Center. John Edwin “Ian” Martin, 53, was handed the guilty verdicts following a jury trial that ran from Monday, June 24, through Wednesday, June 26, with closing arguments given before the jury began deliberations on June 27. However, the jury also acquitted Martin of five counts of sexual misconduct involving a child and five counts of first-degree statutory sodomy. Another count of first-degree statutory sodomy against Martin was dismissed in March of 2023.
Martin was originally charged with the crimes in January of 2023. At that time, according to the probable cause statement in the case, three victims came forward.
Placed on the Central Registry in March 2021
Martin was placed on the Missouri Department of Social Services Family Support Division Services (DSS) Central Registry in March of 2021. According to information found on the Missouri Department of Social Services website, the Central Registry is “a confidential list of persons that the Children’s Division keeps who are legally responsible for child abuse or neglect, or who have committed certain crimes against children.” Martin filed suit in the Greene County Circuit Court in April of that year to have his name removed from the Central Registry, but in October of 2022, the court ruled in favor of the DSS and ruled that Martin’s name “should be placed on the Central Registry.”
Martin filed a motion for a new trial in the case a month later, but that motion was denied on Dec. 15, 2022. At the time charges were filed against Martin in the criminal case, he was in the process of appealing that judgement. Online records show that a request for a transcript of the judgement had been filed on behalf of Martin; no further action had been taken as of press time.
Sentencing hearing scheduled
Following the guilty verdicts, Martin was taken into custody and booked into the Greene County Jail, where, according to court records, he will remain pending his sentencing hearing, scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 12.
Martin also requested 10 additional days to file a motion for a new trial; that request was granted, according to court records.