Alleged Rapist Blames Assaults on ‘Out of Control' Hormones

Investigators believe suspect is possibly a serial rapist and that other victims may be out there

Northampton County officials are calling a Bethlehem man a possible serial rapist who used Facebook to "prey" on young girls.

David Martinez, 20, of Bethlehem, Pa., is charged with raping two young women over the past year, according to Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli.

"He indicated that his hormones were out of control, that he believed that he was addicted to sex and although he felt somewhat sorry for the conduct that he engaged with, he felt that he could not control himself," Morganelli said at a press conference today.

Investigators say the first sexual assault happened on Sept. 22, 2012 at Martinez's Bethlehem home along the 400 block of Maple Street. The victim, who was 17 years old at the time of the alleged attack, told police she and Martinez met up in person for the first time after connecting on Facebook.

Martinez allegedly sat her on the couch and told the teen he wanted to have sex. When she refused, police say he ripped off her pants, held her down and raped her.

A second assault, involving a 14-year-old girl, happened on Jan. 19, 2013. Morganelli says the girl informed Martinez she was only 14 when they began their online relationship.

"In the interviews, he says that whenever he's been in the presence of a woman, he's wanted to have sex with them," says Morganelli.

Martinez's neighbor Beverly Soltis told NBC10's Christine Maddela his arrest comes as a shock.

"He seemed like a very nice guy. I just said hi and waved to him," she says. "I have a 17-year-old daughter...it's very scary."

In both instances, Morganelli says Martinez first met the girls on Facebook and then carried on a relationship with them over text message before they met in person.

According to the criminal complaint, Martinez told police: "I've met and have had plenty of females on Facebook."

With Martinez's admission, Morganelli said investigators believe there may be other victims out there.

"We're hoping today that we can get people to come forward because we feel this man is a danger to the community. He has perhaps victimized lots of young girls in the area."

Martinez is being held on $200,000 bail. Anyone with information can call Bethlehem Police at 610-997-7674.

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