MIDLAND, Wash. — A man accused of sexually assaulting three children over the course of a year was arrested outside a Tacoma apartment complex Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Juan Steagall-Martinez, 51, faces one charge of first-degree child rape and two counts of first-degree child molestation. He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday, Oct. 30, and bail was set at $150,000.
Steagall-Martinez was employed as a maintenance worker for a Midland mobile home park, where he also lived. He was hired as a maintenance worker in June of 2020.
In 2022, the parents of one of the victims told the manager of the mobile home park that his daughter and a friend had been molested by Steagall-Martinez, according to a statement of probable cause. The manager contacted the parents of the third victim because she knew they were friends of Steagall-Martinez.
The girls were interviewed in September of 2022.
The parents of one of the girls said Steagall-Martinez had lived two houses down from them. They previously left their daughter alone with Steagall-Martinez. When interviewed, the girl said when she went to his house, he would force her into a room and lock the door. He would assault her "every single time" she went to his house, according to the statement of probable cause.
Prior to the victims coming forward, the father of one of the victims had confronted Steagall-Martinez, who denied doing anything. Afterward he left the mobile home park and had not been seen since. At one point, however, the mother of one of the victims said Steagall-Martinez sent her a text apologizing, according to the statement of probable cause.
Felony warrants were filed for Steagall-Martinez's arrest.
On the night of Oct. 29, 2024, a resident called 911 to report a domestic disturbance at the Olympic Village Apartments. The neighbor said a man was standing outside another apartment, knocking on a door repeatedly. They believed the man was kicked out by his roommate.
When deputies arrived at the apartment, one of them recognized Steagall-Martinez from a flyer.
Steagall-Martinez was arrested and booked into Pierce County Jail.
Editor's note: If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can find help at Rebuilding Hope, the sexual assault center of Pierce County. Call them at 253-597-6424.
