Past behavior and his lengthy criminal history

After being arrested straight off the streets, a convicted sex offender with a history of violent crimes was in district court on Thursday to answer to two counts of failing to register as a sex offender.

Martin Isaac Holmes, 28, of no fixed address, appeared in court on felony charges that stem from a 2005 conviction for felonious sexual assault to a minor.

According to Police Capt. Janet Champlin, after being released from Strafford County Jail following the conviction, he listed his residence as the Cross Roads House homeless shelter.

Upon his release, Holmes was then required to register as a sex offender. He did not register as required by law, and a warrant was issued by the police for his arrest in October.

A press release was then issued asking for the public's assistance in locating Holmes. His exact whereabouts were not known until yesterday.

"We're very proactive with making sure the sex offenders in the city who are supposed to register comply," said Champlin.

Champlin added that detectives continually do random compliance checks with offenders to make sure that they are living at the address that they originally stated.

In this case, Champlin said that after looking into his whereabouts and checking with state police and Rochester police, where he was formerly known to reside, the United States Marshals were notified that he may have fled the state.

She also said police believe that he never lived at the 600 Lafayette Road address, and that he failed to register in any city that he may have been living in.

On Wednesday, Champlin said that after receiving a tip as to his whereabouts, at around 5 p.m., police officers were then able to apprehend him on Islington Street.

"We believe he's a flight risk based on his past behavior and his lengthy criminal history, which include violent crimes," said Champlin.

At his arraignment, Judge Sawako Gardner set cash bail in the amount of $10,000, in addition to $10,000 personal recognizance. Bail orders included $5,000 for each felony count. He was also ordered to have no contact with minors and to comply with sex offender registration. A probable cause hearing has been set for Dec. 18.

Anyone with any further information about this or any other sex offender related crime is asked to call Detective Kristyn Bernier at 436-2511, or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 431-1199 or 1-207-439-1199, or their website, www.seacoastcrimestoppers.org.