A former parent volunteer at an Oregon elementary school was ordered to be held on nearly $16 million bail as he faces 107 charges related to child sex crimes.
Antonio Francisco Marquez, 41, is also on active duty with the U.S. Army and was initially indicted in May 2018 on 6 sex abuse charges involving a girl no older than 14. Now, he’s accused of abusing three girls who were also all younger than 14, according to KOIN.
The news station also reported that Marquez used the three victims to create child pornography.
The Multnomah County DA’s Office said Marquez was arraigned Monday on the 107-count indictment. They alleged the crimes occurred between October 2015 and May 2018.
The counts are as follows:
- 26 counts of sexual abuse in the first degree
- 35 counts of using a child in a display of sexually explicit conduct
- 44 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse in the second degree
- 2 counts of sodomy in the first degree
According to KOMO, the first accuser claimed Marquez molested her while she spent the night at her best friend’s home. Citing investigators, prosecutors said the girl “woke to someone lifting her shirt and taking pictures” and realized it was Marquez, her friend’s father. She also accused him of touching and kissing her.
Prosecutors said Marquez allege admitted to entering the room and having a “lapse of judgment,” mentioning that “he believed that she was asleep and did not know what he had done.” Despite this, he recently pleaded not guilty to the plethora of charges he faces.
Police said there’s no indication at this point that his role as an Army recruiter or volunteer at Troutdale Elementary School. led to his alleged criminal actions. KOMO reported that Marquez has 19 years of military service and was suspended from the Army pending the outcome of his criminal case.
Marquez is being held on $15,970,000 bail. His next court date is scheduled for February 11.
[Featured Image: Antonio Francisco Marquez/Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office]
