Oregon special education assistant arrested for child sex abuse material

A 24-year-old special education instructional assistant in Oregon was arrested on May 6 for multiple counts of encouraging child sex abuse. Franco Melgar Martich, employed by the Central School District at Talmadge Middle School in Independence, was taken into custody after the Oregon Department of Justice’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force received a tip from Dropbox regarding his attempted sharing of child sex abuse material. The arrest follows an investigation into seven counts of encouraging child sex abuse in the first degree, all alleged to have occurred in July 2024. Court documents indicate the offenses involved multiple visual recordings of sexually explicit conduct involving a child. Martich was booked into Polk County Jail pending further proceedings. The Central School District issued a statement confirming Martich’s employment since September 2025 and his immediate placement on administrative leave. The district emphasized that law enforcement confirmed no direct connection to the school beyond his employment and that its top priority remains student safety. An internal review is underway as the investigation continues. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield stated that the arrest reflects ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation, calling such behavior unacceptable. The district has pledged to share updates with the school community and provide resources as information becomes available. Authorities urge anyone with additional information to contact the Monmouth Police Department.