A Michigan priest, who is known for his exorcism podcast and book, is facing serious legal charges after an alleged incident involving a teenage girl at an Illinois parish.
Father Carlos Martins, the host of The Exorcist Files, has been charged with misdemeanor battery for reportedly pulling a 13-year-old girl’s hair and using it to floss his teeth.
The incident, which occurred in late November 2024, has drawn significant attention.
Martins was visiting the Queen of Apostles parish in Joliet, Illinois, as part of his nationwide “Relic of St. Jude” tour, which is organized by his ministry, Treasures of the Church.
According to authorities, the incident unfolded when Martins, who is bald, allegedly made jokes about his lack of hair before grabbing the girl’s hair and putting it in his mouth.
He is accused of using her hair to perform a “flossing” motion and then making disturbing “growling” noises while sitting behind her in a pew.
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The incident was reported by a male teen who had witnessed the event. Local police quickly responded, and Martins was arrested on January 27, 2025, and charged with battery.
Following the alleged incident, the Diocese of Joliet issued a statement, announcing that Martins had been ordered to leave the parish and the diocese.
In response to the charges, Martins has pleaded not guilty, with his attorney calling the allegations “egregious and unfounded.”
The legal team maintains that Martins did not engage in the actions described and views the case as a personal attack against him and the Church.
