(LifeSiteNews) — Father Carlos Martins, the esteemed host of the popular podcast The Exorcist Files, evangelist, and best-selling author, has been fully cleared of all charges stemming from a relic exposition held on November 21, 2024, at Queen of Apostles Parish in Joliet, Illinois.
The Will County State’s Attorney’s Office dismissed the criminal charges it had filed against Father Martins and confirmed the case against him is closed, according to a press release from Martin’s law firm, the Burke Group.
“I am deeply grateful to all who offered their prayers and support during this time,” said Father Martins. “I am thankful for the truth coming to light and look forward to resuming my ministry and continuing to preach the Gospel.”
“This is exactly the result we were expecting. What he was charged with was simply absurd. This was a case that never should have been brought forward. The court’s ruling is a full vindication of Fr. Martins’ innocence from the beginning of any and all criminal wrongdoing,” said his defense attorney Marcella Burke, chairman of Burke Law Group.
“Since the beginning, we have maintained that Fr. Martins has been completely innocent of all wrongdoing. His character and vocation were wrongly called into question. We’re grateful the justice system corrected the mistake,” said defense attorney Patrick Kenneally of Burke Law Group.
The allegations stemmed from a misunderstanding during a public event in a crowded church, where Father Martins, while engaging with a group of students and adults, made a humorous comment comparing his baldness to a student’s long hair.
“Father Martins, who consistently maintained innocence, temporarily paused his dynamic ministry and Vatican-sponsored nationwide tour as a result of the false allegations and their public distortion. The tour featured the major relics of Saint Jude,” explained the attorney statement.
An initial report of the investigation into Fr. Martin’s conduct at St. Paul Catholic Church in Joliet on November 21, 2024, appeared to allude to sexual misconduct by the priest with a minor. That report led to a barrage of unfounded speculation on social media.
“These charges are egregious and unfounded,” Marcella Burke told Stella Maris Media after the charges were filed. “The evidence will show that Fr. Carlos did not ‘floss’ with a student’s hair or ‘growl’ among other completely false and repulsive accusations — this is a takedown of a good priest and an attempted shakedown of the Church. We are confident in the legal process and look forward to our client being fully exonerated. We will continue to vigorously defend his rights and reputation.”
“Bam!” said Patrick Coffin. “All charges DROPPED against Father Carlos Martin.:
“With God’s help, his accusers will regret this one,” added Coffin.
Bam! All charges DROPPED against Father Carlos Martin. With God’s help, his accusers will regret this one.
— Patrick Coffin (@CoffinMedia) July 30, 2025
“One hopes he is instantly restored to ministry and supported by his superiors as he returns to his work,” said EWTN’s Raymond Arroyo.
Charges dropped against Fr. Carlos Martins, host of the Exorcist Files. One hopes he is instantly restored to ministry and supported by his superiors as he returns to his work. pic.twitter.com/kuHRX4CzMp
— Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) July 30, 2025
Fr. Martins has been a guest on LifeSiteNews podcasts multiple times to discuss exorcism, the reality of Satan, his presence within the Church, and how the battle for the culture of life has raged for thousands of years in the timeless struggle of good vs. evil.
Martins has also discussed how the U.S. tour of St. Jude’s relics that he had led for more than a year has touched thousands of lives, inspiring faith through miraculous healings and profound encounters with the relics.
