Accused 'Serial Rapist' Must Face Trial, District Judge Rules

A 20-year-old Bethlehem man who has been described by law enforcement as a “serial rapist” will have to answer to five counts of rape and a series of related charges in Northampton County Court.

District Judge Roy Manwaring ruled during a preliminary hearing Monday that there is enough evidence for David Martinez to stand trial.

Martinez, of 421 Maple St., is accused of raping five different teenage girls between December 2011 and January 2013, according to arrest affidavits.

Four of his alleged victims were 17 at the time of the attacks and one was 14. Two of the girls were pregnant.

Each of the attacks was carried out in a similar fashion, according to the arrest affidavits: Martinez would “friend” the girls via Facebook then arrange to meet with them. The meetings would start out like dates, but suddenly turn ugly when Martinez would become aggressive and force himself on his victim.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli called Martinez a “serial rapist” during a news conference in February. At the time, Martinez had been charged with two rapes, but police believed there were other victims and were asking them to step forward.

Within three days of that news conference, three more of Martinez’s alleged victims had told their stories to police.

In all, there are six counts of indecent assault, five counts of rape, four counts of sexual assault, three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one count each of aggravated indecent assault and statutory sexual assault.

Martinez remains in Northampton County Prison in lieu of $825,000 bail.