Ricky Martin Facing Potential 50-Year Sentence For Despicable Alleged Crimes
Latin crossover pop star Ricky Martin faces severe consequences if the allegations being levied against him hold up in court.
This article is more than 2 years old
Twenty-three years ago, an explosion marked a career that was a lifetime in the making. The 41st Annual Grammy Awards was a historic night for a few reasons. Lauryn Hill received 10 nominations, setting a record for the most nominations for a female in one night. It is known as the Grammy Year for Women because every artist nominated for Album of the Year was female. Joining Hill were Shania Twain, Madonna, Sheryl Crow, and Garbage (fronted by Shirley Manson). On top of the women leading the way, one of the most influential debuts in American music history took place. A performance of the hit song “La Copa De La Vida” was America’s introduction to Ricky Martin. Now over two decades later, his life has taken a drastic turn.
What began as a restraining order issued against Ricky Martin has now turned into something far more severe and disturbing. On July 1, a judge issued a restraining order for the petitioner filed under Puerto Rico’s domestic violence law. The only information on the petitioner was that they reportedly had a relationship with the singer for seven months. The petitioner’s identity was initially protected under Law 54, which protects victims of domestic abuse. The victim’s identity has now been revealed as Ricky Martin’s nephew, Dennis Yadiel Sanchez.
According to a report, Ricky Martin’s brother, Eric, has revealed his nephew’s claims. He says the singer physically and psychologically abused him over a time frame of seven months. Martin was already facing severe consequences if proven guilty of domestic violence, but the addition of the aggravator of incest drastically changed Martin’s situation. Under Puerto Rican law, the singer could face up to 50 years in prison. The trial begins on July 21, and Martin’s defense team seems to be gearing up for a brutal battle.
In a Twitter post, Ricky Martin claimed the charges against him are false and that he would respond through the legal process. He also thanked those who stuck by him and said he could not speak further on the matter due to it being an ongoing legal process. Another statement by his legal team points the spotlight back at the 21-year-old nephew, saying he has been accused of domestic violence himself. A woman previously involved with Dennis Yadiel Sanchez claimed he harassed her and promised to ruin her life.
Dubbed the “King of Latin Pop,” Ricky Martin paved the way for Latin artists and the Latino explosion in the 90s. After “Livin’ La Vida Loca” exploded atop the Billboard Top 100, artists like Enrique Iglesias, Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, and Marc Anthony were able to make their marks outside Spanish-speaking audiences. If you are a fan of the most recent explosion of Bad Bunny, you can trace your gratitude back to Martin. However, with the new developments and allegations against him, it is easy to think the once-mighty have fallen. Regardless how this plays out in Puerto Rican courts, Martin’s image is forever tarnished. We will continue to update on the situation as more information permits.
