safety
Why 39 counts of possession of child pornography were dismissed against a former SAPD officer
By Zaria Oates, Jarryd Luna at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio
· June 27, 2026
· 4 min read
Matthew Martin, a former San Antonio Police officer, was facing 39 counts of possession of child pornography and a charge for stalking before all charges were dropped. Ben Sifuentes Jr. represented Martin as an attorney and told KSAT this case should have never been filed.According to the finding...
Key takeaway According to the findings of fact, Matthew Martin and his ex-fiancée, Ashley Pacheco, ended their relationship in January 2021.
Why this matters in Terrell Hills News
The dismissal of 39 counts of possession of child pornography against former San Antonio Police officer Matthew Martin raises questions about the handling of evidence in sensitive cases. In Terrell Hills , where residents expect a high level of public safety, the fact that charges were dropped due to concerns over the legality of the phone search is particularly noteworthy. The case highlights the complexities of digital evidence and the need for law enforcement to carefully navigate the boundaries of probable cause and community property laws. As the community moves forward, it will be important to watch how the San Antonio Police Department reviews and revises its protocols for handling similar cases, ensuring that the rights of all individuals are protected while also pursuing justice in cases involving serious crimes. The outcome of this case may also prompt local officials to reexamine their training procedures for officers handling sensitive and potentially traumatic evidence.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Terrell Hills News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Matthew Martin, a former San Antonio Police officer, was facing 39 counts of possession of child pornography and a charge for stalking before all charges were dropped. Ben Sifuentes Jr. represented Martin as an attorney and told KSAT this case should have never been filed.According to the finding...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio and curated for Terrell Hills News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Zaria Oates, Jarryd Luna at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) — San Antonio. To learn more about how Terrell Hills News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from Terrell Hills News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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