Adan Martinez Cruz
Graduate student Adan Martinez Cruz hasn’t been found guilty of any crime, but some of his colleagues suspect his arrest last month has led to his suspension.
Martinez Cruz, 31, who was working as a research assistant in the agricultural and resource economics department, was arrested in the Stamp Student Union on Oct. 7 after a female student accused him of sexually assaulting her there. Soon afterward, he was released on bail and remained free even after a second woman came forward reporting another sexual assault. His first court date is scheduled for this morning.
Although he has not been found guilty of any crime, a fellow research assistant — who asked to remain anonymous because she had been told not to speak to reporters — said she hasn’t seen Martinez Cruz since his arrest.
“I have no doubt that this is affecting his research and academic performance, as I am sure that this is putting a lot of stress on him,” the research assistant wrote in an e-mail. “The fact that nobody sees him around anymore shows that he is not doing anything academic anymore.”
Andrea Goodwin, the university’s associate director of student conduct, said she could not comment on whether Martinez Cruz had been removed from the university but said her office does sometimes keep students away if they’re charged with a serious crime.
“In some circumstances, we might have an interim suspension, meaning the student is separated from the university during the time until an actual university proceeding takes place,” she said.
The Code of Student Conduct, articles 17 and 18, states a student may be suspended for an interim period of time before disciplinary proceedings — in this case, a trial — if “there is evidence that the continued presence of the student on the University campus poses a substantial threat to him or herself or to others.”
The agricultural resources and economics department chair, other AREC graduate research assistants, the Office of Legal Affairs, the Office of Student Conduct, the dean of the graduate school and Martinez Cruz’s lawyers declined to say whether Martinez Cruz was suspended. Martinez Cruz did not respond to e-mails, a phone message or a note left at his apartment.
Another graduate student in the department — who also asked to remain anonymous — wrote in an e-mail that if Martinez Cruz was suspended, it could hinder his research.
“Now he is in his 5th year, and he was close to defending his research proposal,” he wrote. “This incident might have delayed his progress immeasurably. Being an international student under a Fulbright scholarship, the damage might be even greater, in case his funding itself is thrown into jeopardy.”
He said he is well acquainted with Martinez Cruz — who others also have said came to the United States on a Fulbright scholarship, which is awarded to 7,500 international students annually to teach, study and perform research in the United States — and that “the allegation does not fit him; it’s an insult to his character.”
“I have found him to be a warm, friendly person, who is always ready to help,” he said. “For example, time and again, he has helped me with my own research, although my topic is quite removed from his areas of interests.”
Police charged Martinez Cruz with two fourth-degree sex offenses, two counts of second-degree assault and one count of molesting a student, court records show.
Authorities arrested him after a female student told police a man matching his description came up to her near the Maryland Food Co-op; wrapped his arm around her; ran his hands up her legs, under her skirt and onto her buttocks before running away, police said.
A second woman came forward with a similar account three days later. Martinez Cruz’s court date for the second alleged incident is set for Nov. 30.
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