Leon Valley cop is charged in assault

Leon Valley police officer Anthony Martinez, 33, was arrested early Thursday on allegations he assaulted his girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter. Courtesy photo. Leon Valley police officer Anthony Martinez, 33, was arrested early Thursday on allegations he assaulted his girlfriend's 15-year-old daughter. Courtesy photo. Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Leon Valley cop is charged in assault 1 / 1 Back to Gallery

A Leon Valley police officer is free on bail but on administrative leave after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend's daughter at his Northwest Bexar County home.

Anthony Martinez, 33, was released from Bexar County Jail after posting $15,000 bail. He faces one charge of assaulting a family member by choking or strangulation.

Bexar County sheriff's Detective Louis Antu said deputies were called to the officer's home in the 6200 block of Ozuna Mill about 12:20 a.m. Thursday when Martinez's girlfriend and 15-year-old daughter were arguing over a cellphone.

Apparently, the girl's mother had taken away her phone as a punishment, and the two got into a struggle. The girl then tried to leave the home, Antu said, but Martinez was blocking the front door and also began to struggle with the girl.

“The child then fled to a neighbor down the street,” Antu said. “She had numerous scrapes and scratches on her arm and chest area, and her nose was bruised and swollen.”

Martinez was arrested at the scene and released from jail around 8 p.m. Thursday.

Leon Valley Police Chief Randall Wallace said Martinez, a five-year veteran, is on suspension with pay pending the results of an internal investigation.

emoravec@express-news.net

Twitter: @EvaRuth