By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A former detective with the Trussville Police Department has been indicted on child sex abuse charges and booked into the Jefferson County Jail.
Anthony Wayne Martin, 42, was taken into custody shortly after midnight Monday and faces charges of sexual abuse of a child with an object and sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12, according to jail records.
Martin was employed by the Trussville Police Department from 2019 until his termination in early July 2025. Trussville Mayor Ben Short, a former police officer, said Martin was fired following an internal investigation into the allegations. Martin was initially placed on administrative leave before being terminated.
Short said once the internal investigation was completed, the criminal allegations were referred to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) for further review. The case was later presented to a grand jury, which returned indictments.
In a written statement, Mayor Short emphasized that the charges remain allegations and that Martin is entitled to due process. However, he made clear the city’s position on the matter.
“The City of Trussville has zero tolerance for criminal behavior by anyone, especially those entrusted to serve and protect our community,” Short said. “Crimes against children have no place in our society and must be addressed fully through the justice system.”
Short added that law enforcement officers are held to a higher standard because of the public trust placed in them. “When that trust is violated, it dishonors the badge, the profession, and every officer who serves with integrity,” he said.
The mayor said the city and police department will have no further comment as the case proceeds through the courts. He noted that the administration’s priorities remain public safety, accountability, and transparency.