City News
On July 16, 2025, the Culver City Police Department arrested a suspect in connection with a sexual abuse investigation involving a former employee of the City’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department.
On July 7, 2025, the Culver City Police Department was notified of an allegation involving potential criminal sexual conduct with a minor by a former PRCS employee. Upon receiving the report, the Culver City Police Department launched an immediate investigation. Stephen Martinez, 43, of Los Angeles was formerly employed as a Senior Recreation Leader with Culver City PRCS from June 8, 2020, to June 26, 2025, working in youth programming at various City facilities and park locations during that time. He was terminated from his position with the City due to an unrelated matter prior to the report of this crime.
PRCS is actively working to contact all parents and guardians of children who may have come into contact with the suspect through City programming in the past. Anyone with concerns regarding an interaction that a child had with this former employee, or anyone with information that may assist the investigation, is urged to contact the Culver City Police Department’s Investigations Bureau Lieutenant Ryan Thompson at (310) 253-6302 or email Ryan.Thompson@CulverCity.gov.
All PRCS staff undergo a LiveScan background check and a comprehensive interview process prior to employment. The PRCS department has established safety protocols, and staff are trained on these procedures at the time of hire and annually. The City Manager’s Office will be engaging an independent expert to review the City’s childcare background check and interview processes, as well as our safety protocols and training, to recommend any changes necessary. The City will keep the public informed about any findings and changes that are made.
For further information, contact Culver City Police Department Public Information Officer Jennifer Atenza at (310) 253-6120 or email jennifer.atenza@culvercity.org.