Prison employee arrested in child sex sting

FARMINGTON — A Colorado Department of Corrections employee has been arrested in a child sex sting organized by the San Juan County Sheriff's Office.

Zerik Martin, 30, of Durango, Colo., contacted an undercover sheriff's office deputy through an unidentified website on Oct. 19, according to a press release from the sheriff's office. The deputy pretended to be a 14-year-old girl and chatted with Martin, who eventually requested nude photographs, according to the release.

The deputy refused, and Martin then allegedly sent a nude photo of himself. He then disclosed he already had an inappropriate relationship with another 14-year-old, the release states.

Deputies referred the admission to the Durango Police Department for investigation. Sheriff's office deputies confronted Martin in Durango, and he admitted to soliciting nude photographs from the deputy, according to the release.

Martin was charged Thursday in Aztec Magistrate Court with two counts of child solicitation by electronic communication device, a fourth-degree felony. Martin was arrested in Durango and is awaiting extradition to New Mexico, the release states.

The sheriff's office investigated Martin as part of the New Mexico Internet Crimes Against Children task force.

Anyone with information on other sexual crimes involving Martin is asked to contact the San Juan County Sheriff's Office or the Durango Police Department.

Steve Garrison covers crime and courts for The Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4644.