CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa — A Marine was sentenced to prison and a dishonorable discharge Wednesday for participating in the sexual abuse of his 2-year-old step-grandson.
Lance Cpl. Falepa M. Martin, 33, was sentenced to 12 years in prison in a case that involved Martin watching an Internet web-cam broadcast of his wife molesting the boy.
However, under the terms of a pretrial agreement, all but 48 months of the sentence will be suspended. Martin also was reduced in rank to E-1 and ordered to forfeit all of his pay and allowances.
Martin, of the 7th Communications Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Headquarters Group, pleaded guilty to two counts of Article 120 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice — aggravated sexual assault of a child and taking indecent liberties with a child.
According to evidence presented at the brief court-martial, Martin watched the boy touch his wife while instructing her on what to have the child do.
The prosecutor, Capt. Paul M. Ervasti, said Martin’s wife awaits trial in South Carolina, where the incident occurred last November.
Ervasti asked for a 16-year prison sentence for the Marine, claiming Martin instigated the abuse.
"This was for his sexual pleasure," he said. "He was the one leading this twisted escapade with his grandkid. It just boggles the mind — a grown man having his wife sexually abuse his 2-year-old grandson."
Ervasti said a 16-year sentence would ensure Martin would be kept out of his grandchildren’s lives until they had all reached the age of 18.
In an unsworn statement, Martin apologized.
"There is no reason I can give the court today for my actions," he told judge Lt. Col. David Oliver. He asked to be allowed to take part in a 24-month treatment program at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in Southern California.
"I do need help," Martin said. "There were things that happened to me as a child, as an adolescent, that led me to do what I did."
Martin’s attorney, 1st Lt. Scott Wilson, argued for a sentence not to exceed 48 months. Any more time in prison would cross the line of "diminishing returns," he said.
"He does not excuse the horrible and reprehensible nature of his conduct," Wilson said. "He needs help. The focus has to be rehabilitation."
