Transgender woman convicted of sexually assaulting 10-year-old girl in bathroom

A jury convicted Miguel Martinez, a transgender woman, Thursday of sexually assaulting a 10-year-old girl inside a bathroom.

What happened?

Martinez, who identifies as a woman and goes by the first name Michelle, assaulted the girl inside a residential bathroom, according to the Billings Gazette.

The girl was invited into the bathroom on March 23 by Martinez, who touched the girl’s breasts and genitalia before penetrating her, according to reports. The Gazette reported that the girl told her mother immediately after the assault, who then reported it to Casper Police Department.

Martinez was described to police as a family friend.

“It hurt inside,” the girl told an officer, according to the New York Post. She also told police that Martinez should go to jail.

The girl was taken to Wyoming Medical Center where nurses completed a sexual assault exam. The exam showed redness and abrasions on the girl’s genitalia.

What was Martinez’s response?

Martinez pleaded not guilty to both counts.

Martinez also accused the girl of “talking crap” and characterized the allegations as a “publicity stunt” before shutting down the interview with police, the Casper Star Tribune reported.

What’s the possible sentence?

Martinez, who was found guilty of first-degree and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, faces up to 70 years in prison.

Any previous charges?

The Casper Star Tribune reported in 2014 that Martinez was accused of beating her boyfriend with a metal broomstick and was charged with aggravated assault. Martinez pleaded guilty to domestic battery, Casper Police said.