CROWN POINT | A warrant was issued Friday for Lake Station City Court Bailiff James Earl Martin for failure to appear in Lake Criminal Court on his sexual battery charge.
Martin, 60, failed to appear for his initial hearing Friday. He was charged last month with felony sexual battery for allegedly touching female inmates while transporting them from Lake County Jail to the courtroom, court records state.
Martin asked a 20-year-old female inmate to expose herself and allow him to touch her sexually in exchange for a Snickers candy bar, court records allege. The incident reportedly occurred while the two were traveling in a police transport van.
The inmate, who was being held on marijuana possession charges, told police she was not threatened by Martin but showed him her chest and allowed him to touch her because the bailiff had a lot of power in court and she wanted to go home, court records state.
Martin also was charged with misdemeanor battery.
