St. Paul Candidate Arrested After Topless Photo Of Wife Surfaces

SAINT PAUL, MN — Police say a Saint Paul city council candidate was arrested Monday morning on suspicion of violating Minnesota's law against revenge porn.

The arrest comes after reports of a blog post on David Martinez's campaign website that featured a photo of his wife, topless. According to the post, Martinez’s wife recently acquired a restraining order against him.

The post was removed Sunday, though police believe the image may still be available on social media.

In Minnesota, the nonconsensual dissemination of private, sexual images is a either a felony or a gross misdemeanor.

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In addition to the photo, a restraining order application was posted on the campign blog, KARE 11 reported. According to the application, Martinez's wife wrote her husband's behavior "has continued to escalate over the past 3-4 weeks."

"David brought home mace and a B.B. gun and said he will use it against anyone who gets in his face," she wrote. On July 4, he put "both of his hands around my neck and pushed me backwards," she added.

Martinez's name has been making headlines since early July. On July 5, he was banned from Saint Paul public libraries. The next day, he was ejected and banned from Target Field after a physical incident involving security at the ballpark, the Pioneer Press reported.

Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has called on Martinez to end his campaign.

Image via Ramsey County Sheriff's Office