ST. PAUL, Minn. - St. Paul City Council candidate David Martinez said he's not dropping out of the race, despite public calls to do so. Martinez was released from jail without being charged for allegedly posting a topless photo of his wife, but has been charged with trespassing in a separate case.
Friday morning at family court Martinez told KARE 11 he will continue to win votes in the special election on Aug. 14, despite Mayor Melvin Carter's request, and urging from other council candidates, for him to drop out of the race.
"Why would they not want me to drop out of the race? Because I'm a threat to them," Martinez said. "I'm a smart guy, who has served on boards and commissions and who knows how the power dynamics work."
According to St. Paul Police, they arrested Martinez on Monday on probable cause for felony non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images after allegedly posting the photo of his estranged wife on his campaign blog.
Martinez was released from jail Wednesday morning at 8:21 a.m. without being charged for non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images.
A spokesperson for the Ramsey County Attorney's Office says that case has been returned to St. Paul police for more investigation.
Martinez, however, has been charged with two misdemeanors related to a separate incident at a Twins game on July 6. According to the criminal complaint, officers responded to a report of a person refusing to leave the game and when they arrived they found Martinez struggling with three to four security officers.
The complaint states that Martinez had jumped a small gate into a restricted area and then refused to leave.
Martinez is charged with trespassing and with failing to leave an event when ordered, both misdemeanors. He was also cited with disorderly conduct on July 5 at the St. Paul library. Police say he was screaming obscenities at library staff.
Martinez has posted video of the Target Field incident on his YouTube page.
Martinez has been summoned to appear in Hennepin County Court on Aug. 10 for an arraignment.
The case involving the image of his wife is now back in the hands of police investigators. His wife filed a restraining order against Martinez, alleging abuse, and he is currently ordered by a judge to stay away from her and their kids.
