Westmoreland Co. prosecutors claim anti-bullying advocate threatened police

Correction: This story published Feb. 8, 2021, on TribLIVE.com contains information from a court hearing in which Westmoreland County prosecutors successfully argued to modify the pretrial bond of Justin De La Cruz Martinez, who is charged with disorderly conduct and trespassing for an incident police said occurred Nov. 7, 2019, on Derry Area School District property. The story incorrectly stated Martinez was charged with resisting arrest in connection with the Nov. 7 incident and that he had appeared on school property on more than one occasion. According to court records, Martinez was formally charged Dec. 3, 2019, by state police in connection with the incident at the school. Martinez was charged Nov. 20, 2019, with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in connection with an incident at the Kiski state police barracks on Nov. 19, 2019.

A Derry man who calls himself the “Bully Monster” was placed on house arrest as a bond modification Monday after Westmoreland County prosecutors say a video that he made was threatening to a police officer.

Justin Juan De La Cruz Martinez, 41, was charged Dec. 3, 2019, with trespassing and disorderly conduct in connection with a Nov. 7, 2019, incident in which he refused to comply with orders from police and Derry Area School District officials to move from in front of an elementary school as he wore a skull mask under what authorities said was a “fuzzy unicorn head” to advocate against bullying, court document state.

Martinez, who for over the last year has been seen protesting in costume throughout the region — including in front of the Westmoreland County Courthouse as well as in Pittsburgh — was in court Monday as prosecutors sought to modify terms of his bond after they said he posted a video to Facebook that they described as threatening to the state trooper who initiated his previous arrest.

Police said that while free on a $5,000 unsecured bond, Martinez made a video of himself repeatedly smashing his 2017 Nissan Versa with a baseball bat after calling out the name of the officer who filed charges against him.

Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered Martinez to be held on house arrest and obtain a psychiatric evaluation. He barred him from the internet while Martinez awaits trial on the pending misdemeanor charges stemming from his appearance at the school. The order was modified to allow internet access.

“Is it possible the Bully Monster has become you? You have become the one people fear,” said Feliciani, who explained his decision to modify Martinez’s bond was to ensure the public’s safety.

Seven deputy sheriffs, along with Sheriff James Albert, his chief deputy and Park Police Chief Henry Fontana, were in the courtroom and gathered around Martinez to escort him to the probation office after Monday’s lengthy hearing.

Martinez, who served as his own lawyer, defended his actions. He said he’s an anti-bullying crusader and claims he’s been threatened by police.

He told the judge he intended no threats in the video but that he lashed out to relieve stress and fear related to his interactions with police.

“I make no apologies for beating the hell out of my own vehicle. It’s my right,” Martinez said.

In a confrontational back and forth with the judge, Martinez claimed his life’s mission is to teach conflict resolution and advocate against bullying, especially in schools attended by his three young children, all of whom are under the age of 12.

On Nov. 20, 2019, Martinez was charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct in connection with an incident at the Kiski state police barracks a day earlier when he refused to follow orders when he appeared there to lodge a complaint against the officer who filed the earlier charges against him.