A well-known Catholic priest and exorcist has been cleared of misconduct charges that had cast a shadow over his reputation. Father Carlos Martins, who is also recognized for his work with Catholic relics and hosts "The Exorcist Files" podcast, faced allegations after an event at Queen of Apostles Parish in Joliet, Illinois, in November 2024.
At the event, which drew around 200 attendees, Martins reportedly made a light-hearted comment about his baldness and was accused of briefly touching a young girl’s hair. The girl, who is a minor, later claimed that Martins had placed her hair in his mouth and growled at her and her friends. These serious allegations led to a police investigation that resulted in a misdemeanor battery charge filed against Martins in January 2025.
However, this week, prosecutors dismissed the case, stating that there was no evidence to support the claims against him. Martins’ legal team expressed relief at the outcome, emphasizing that he had done nothing wrong. The priest himself shared his gratitude for being exonerated, expressing his faith that the truth would eventually come to light.
The investigation into the allegations began shortly after they were reported, but it faced scrutiny. No video footage or independent evidence was presented to back the claims. The negative publicity surrounding the accusations forced Martins to cancel the remainder of his tour, which had been focused on educating people about relics.
In a separate but related matter, the Joliet Police Department was under review for its handling of the case. A report from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office revealed troubling patterns of misconduct within the department, including the use of unreasonable force and failure to hold officers accountable. During the investigation into Martins, there were significant gaps in documentation, with no notes, body cam footage, or witness statements available.
As the case against Father Carlos Martins has come to a close, he can now focus on his ministry and continue his work without the burden of these allegations.
