Ann Zaniewski

Detroit Free Press

A 29-year veteran Detroit police officer has been suspended amid allegations that he received and possessed child pornography.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig called the claims outlined in a federal criminal complaint against Miguel Angel Martinez "deeply troubling."

"Any time a police officer makes a decision to engage in alleged criminal acts, and this one is particularly troubling, certainly it’s a stain on the Detroit Police Department," Craig told reporters at a press conference this afternoon. "It’s not reflective of the entire organization."

A sergeant from the Washoe County Sheriff's Office in Reno, Nev., working undercover was using a peer-to-peer file sharing program when he discovered files that appeared to reference child pornography linked to a computer IP address that belonged to Martinez, who lives in Trenton.

Read more:

Sex offender who viewed porn so he ‘wouldn't harm' kids sentenced

Ex-Howell teacher sentenced for possessing child porn

The sergeant was able to download 14 "incomplete but viewable" files from the IP address between Sept. 5 and Sept. 12, according to the complaint. The videos showed children engaged in sexually explicit conduct, the complaint says.

A review of a law enforcement database indicated that the same IP address has been observed sharing at least 100 files that are of interest to child pornography investigations. And on two dates in January, that IP was observed sharing child pornography, according to the complaint.

Federal investigators searched Martinez's home Tuesday and seized computer-related items. During an interview, Martinez told investigators he "may have seen" child pornography files, the complaint says.

Craig said Martinez has been suspended with pay. If charges are filed, the status would change to a suspension without pay, he said.

Martinez worked as a patrol officer on the west side of the city. Craig said he's not aware of any other allegations of wrongdoing against him.

"His deputy chief referred to him as an average officer, nothing stellar that stood out," Craig said.

It was not immediately clear this afternoon whether Martinez has an attorney.

Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski.