A Stroud man charged with four counts of first degree rape and one for sexual abuse with a child under 12 has entered no contest blind pleas to all five counts.
Cameron Austin Thomas Martz, 24, was formally charged Dec. 8, 2022 in Lincoln County District Court with two counts of first degree rape by instrumentation and two counts of first degree rape. On May 22 this year, the District Attorney’s Office filed the fifth felony against him.
Lincoln County deputies and investigators responded to a sexual assault call that led to the charges.
At the conclusion of his preliminary hearing May 19, Martz was bound over to stand trial.
Martz entered the no contest blind pleas before District Judge John Canavan and the judge received the pleas. The judge ordered a pre-sentence investigation and scheduled sentencing for 9:30 a.m. Dec. 19.
During his arraignment May 30, Martz entered a not guilty plea and the court received the plea. A judge set the cause for the felony disposition docket on Sep. 26, the jury trial call docket Oct. 13 and a jury trial at 9 a.m. Oct. 16.
Martz entered the pleas several days prior to the trial starting.
Martz first appeared before Associate District Judge Sheila Kirk on Dec. 9 last year and she ordered his $500,000 bond to remain. She ordered that a further initial appearance be held on Dec. 15.
Special Judge Emily Mueller later set his pre-preliminary hearing for Jan. 19, 2023. She further set the cause for March 16.
She scheduled his preliminary hearing for May 19.
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.