A priest from Michigan who hosts a podcast about exorcisms has been charged with a bizarre crime. Father Carlos Martins, who runs “The Exorcist Files” podcast, is accused of taking a teenage girl’s hair and using it to floss his teeth.
The charges were filed in Illinois this month, stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred on November 25. Father Martins has denied these claims.
According to a criminal complaint from Will County, Illinois, Martins allegedly grabbed the hair of a minor and put it in his mouth in a way deemed insulting. The incident took place while he was visiting a parish in Joliet as part of a nationwide tour promoting the Relic of St. Jude, which is organized by his ministry, Treasures of the Church.
A male teenager reportedly told the police that Martins had made jokes about his baldness before pulling the hair of a 13-year-old girl and making a gesture resembling flossing with it. Witnesses said Martins then made strange noises while sitting behind the girl in a church pew.
After the alleged incident, the Diocese of Joliet instructed Father Martins to leave the parish and the diocese. He was arrested on January 27 and charged with misdemeanor battery. Following his arrest, he pleaded not guilty and was later released.
The religious group to which Martins belongs announced that he would be stepping away from his duties in the ministry. They expressed their support for everyone affected by this situation.
An official from the Archdiocese of Detroit stated that Martins is barred from any public ministry within the archdiocese.
Martins’ lawyer has called the accusations “serious and baseless,” insisting that Father Martins did not engage in the actions he is being accused of. The lawyer expressed confidence in the legal process and hopes for a complete exoneration for the priest.
