Tyler County Man, Former Liberty County Coach and Youth Pastor, Convicted of Sexual Assault of Student

Booking photo of Jeffrey Brent Martin, 37.

LIBERTY COUNTY – A former Tyler County high school coach and youth pastor has been convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student — but instead of prison, he will serve 10 years’ probation and spend only weekends in jail for the next three years.

Jeffrey Brent Martin, 37, was found guilty last week in the 253rd State District Court in Liberty County of Sexual Assault of a Child and Attempt to Commit Indecency with a Child by Exposure. His punishment also includes lifetime registration as a sex offender.

According to testimony, Martin began the illegal relationship while working as a girls’ coach at Hull-Daisetta High School. The abuse continued into the victim’s junior year. At the time, he was also serving as a youth pastor.

Prosecutors revealed that Martin avoided an additional charge of Improper Relationship Between an Educator and Student — not because the conduct didn’t fit, but because the statute of limitations had expired by the time the victim came forward.

Martin was first arrested in 2020. His conviction now permanently bans him from teaching in Texas. If he violates any part of his probation, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

Under the court’s order, Martin must serve weekends in jail for three years and remain on the sex offender registry for life.