Bogus Agent Cons Models

By Anne La Jeunesse

A 45-year-old Santa Monica man suspected of luring young women into photographic sessions at his apartment with promises of modeling jobs for MTV and Playboy, among other outlets, was arrested Friday on suspicion of 21 misdemeanor counts, including swindling and posing as an agent, according to city officials.

The bogus agent, Thomas Daniel Martinez, who allegedly uses several aliases, including Tomas Cruz, Tommy Knighthorse, Thahme Knighthorse, and Tommy Marin, was arrested on charges that include theft, deceptive advertising, business and contract violations, authorities said. Martinez allegedly took photographs of the scantily clothed women in various stages of undress.

Martinez was arrested at 3:30 p.m. Friday at his apartment in the 1300 block of Euclid Street, after an arrest warrant was issued for him on March 19, according to court documents.

Martinez was released on an undisclosed amount of bail pending a May 17 arraignment in Santa Monica Municipal Court.

Martinez took advantage of at least three victims, said Santa Monica Deputy District Attorney Adam Radinsky, and any other women who feel they may have been victimized in Martinez' alleged scheme are urged to contact the Santa Monica City Attorney's Office.

"This is about the taking of money under false pretenses with the intention of keeping it," Radinsky said. "This is about posing as an employment agency and acting as one, but not posting the required bond with the state of California."

Radinsky said that several young women were lured to Martinez' apartment with promises of modeling jobs.

After charging the women between $25 and $40, photographs of the scantily clad young women were taken, Radinsky said.

However, Martinez kept their money and the photographs, and none of the women ever received jobs through him, Radinsky said.

The deputy city attorney said that the young women cannot be blamed for wanting to aim for the stars, especially in such close proximity to Hollywood.

"This is Los Angeles, with music videos and fashion shoots," Radinsky said. "If people have the opportunity to make some money, that's an opportunity they don't want to pass up."

He said he wishes that any other alleged victims would not be sheepish to come forward and report being swindled, and urged them to do so.

"He made false statements that he could get them into MTV or Playboy," although he never worked for those well-known companies, Radinsky said

A police investigation revealed that at least one victim was lured to Martinez through a tear-off advertisement posted at a Tower Records store, and another was recruited at Santa Monica College by one of his supposed employees, Radinsky said.
The third known victim was recruited at the California State University of Los Angeles campus, according to Radinsky.

Martinez has used the business names Multimedia Images & Talent and Eagle Eye Entertainment.

Martinez will be arraigned on May 17 in Santa Monica Municipal Court.