(Wilmington, DE 19808) Detectives with the New Castle County Division of Police have charged 35-year-old Jose Martinez-Salinas with multiple felony offenses following an investigation into the sexual assault of a child.
On June 4, 2026, officers responded to a report of a sexual assault involving a child under the age of 12 in a New Castle area community. Detectives assigned to the Criminal Investigations Unit were immediately notified and assumed responsibility for the investigation.
Through investigative efforts, detectives identified Jose Martinez-Salinas, who was known to the victim, as the suspect. The investigation revealed that Martinez-Salinas allegedly raped the victim and engaged in multiple acts of unlawful sexual contact on June 3, 2026.
Detectives assigned to the Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team were notified and immediately began efforts to locate Martinez-Salinas. Later that evening, on June 4, 2026, detectives located Martinez-Salinas inside a vehicle at Powell Ford Park in the 1000 block of Kiamensi Road. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to New Castle County Police Headquarters, where he was charged with the following offenses:
• Four felony counts of Unlawful Sexual Contact First Degree
• One felony count of Rape First Degree (victim under 12 years of age)
• One felony count of Rape Second Degree (victim under 12 years of age)
• One misdemeanor count of Resisting Arrest
Martinez-Salinas was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution after failing to post $325,000 cash bail.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Taveras-Jerez at (302) 395-2784 or by email at Armelys.TaverasJerez@newcastlede.gov.

Jose Martinez-Salinas – 35

