February 28, 2006 - He's the teacher arrested for showing a student an explicit video on his cell phone. Just a day after his arrest, the substitute teacher spoke only to Action News.
Christopher Martineson is out on bail. He was arrested because of what one of his students says they saw on his phone.
Martineson is admitting he made a big mistake.
Chris Martineson says he is a good guy that made one mistake — allowing a student to use his cell phone.
It is a mistake that cost him his job, and time in jail, but Martineson says he wants to set the record straight.
He admits he had inappropriate video of his male body parts on his cell phone.
"I meant for no one to see those except my lover, my girlfriend. That's it," said Martineson.
Martineson says he never intended for a student at Valley Community School to see the video while he was substitute teaching there, "That was something I was giving my girlfriend. I do it all the time on my phone and say here baby, and she says, 'Thanks, Sugar.'"
Police arrested Martineson. They say he intentionally showed the girl the video, after she asked to use his phone to make a call.
"They may have been for his girlfriend, but it is clear that the student saw them and it is clear he was aware that the student saw them," said Commander Tom Martin, from the Merced Police Department.
Martineson says he often lets kids at the alternative school borrow his phone and isn't sure if anyone else saw the videos.
"Most of the kids I trust. They say they want to use my phone ... I say sure, go ahead. I don't care, look at pictures, play games. Go ahead, it doesn't matter to me," he said.
Martineson says he has learned his lesson," Keep my cell phone in my vehicle. Never take it out, whatever the case may be. I'm leaving it in my vehicle."
Martineson says he no longer has his substitute teaching job at Valley Community School.
He's due back in court next month.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in county jail and he may also be required to register as a sex offender.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=3949669
Christopher Martineson is out on bail. He was arrested because of what one of his students says they saw on his phone.
Martineson is admitting he made a big mistake.
Chris Martineson says he is a good guy that made one mistake — allowing a student to use his cell phone.
It is a mistake that cost him his job, and time in jail, but Martineson says he wants to set the record straight.
He admits he had inappropriate video of his male body parts on his cell phone.
"I meant for no one to see those except my lover, my girlfriend. That's it," said Martineson.
Martineson says he never intended for a student at Valley Community School to see the video while he was substitute teaching there, "That was something I was giving my girlfriend. I do it all the time on my phone and say here baby, and she says, 'Thanks, Sugar.'"
Police arrested Martineson. They say he intentionally showed the girl the video, after she asked to use his phone to make a call.
"They may have been for his girlfriend, but it is clear that the student saw them and it is clear he was aware that the student saw them," said Commander Tom Martin, from the Merced Police Department.
Martineson says he often lets kids at the alternative school borrow his phone and isn't sure if anyone else saw the videos.
"Most of the kids I trust. They say they want to use my phone ... I say sure, go ahead. I don't care, look at pictures, play games. Go ahead, it doesn't matter to me," he said.
Martineson says he has learned his lesson," Keep my cell phone in my vehicle. Never take it out, whatever the case may be. I'm leaving it in my vehicle."
Martineson says he no longer has his substitute teaching job at Valley Community School.
He's due back in court next month.
If convicted, he could face up to two years in county jail and he may also be required to register as a sex offender.
http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/story?section=local&id=3949669
