A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for a Stroud man charged with four counts of first degree rape after Lincoln County deputies and investigators responded to a sexual assault call. Cameron Austin Thomas Martz, 24, was formally charged Dec. 8 in Lincoln County District Court with two counts of first degree rape by instrumentation and two counts of first degree rape.
A $500,000 bench warrant was originally issued for the arrest of Martz on the same day the charges were filed. On Dec. 9, the warrant was returned and filed by the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office.
Martz appeared before Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk on that date and she ordered his $500,000 bond to remain. She ordered that a further initial appearance be held on Dec. 15.
On that date Special Judge Emily Mueller set his pre-preliminary hearing for Jan. 19, 2023. She further set the cause for March 16.
She has scheduled his preliminary hearing for 9 a.m. May 19.
Court records show that his wife, Justice Martz filed for a protective order against Martz on Dec. 6 and that Special Judge Emily Mueller issued a protective order with a hearing scheduled for Dec. 15.
Counts 1 and 2, first degree rape by instrumentation, allegedly occurred between June 25, 2022 and Nov. 29, 2022 in Lincoln County with a minor under the age of 16 who was six years of age at the time.
Counts 3 and 4, first degree rape, allegedly occurred during the same time period with the same minor.
Lincoln County Deputy Steven Hinkle, in a probable cause affidavit, states he was dispatched around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 29 to a Stroud residence in Lincoln County regarding a sexual assault call.
After visiting with Justice Martz, Hinkle contacted Lincoln County Sheriff Capt. Larry Stover, Sr., who he informed of the situation and Stover began his investigation.
Also involved in the probe was Vanessa Parson who conducted the forensic interview and a SANE nurse.