Cops say a custody exchange in Monroe County leads to a fatal stabbing

A Monroe County man is accused of fatally stabbing a father multiple times during a custody exchange outside his home, police said.

Justin Martinez, 30, of East Stroudsburg, is charged with aggravated homicide. He was arraigned Monday before District Judge Jamie Levy, who denied bail in the case. He was then taken to the Monroe County Jail.

Stroud Area Regional Police were called to Martinez’s home at 4:20 p.m. Sunday in reference to a stabbing. One of the 911 calls was allegedly made by Martinez himself, claiming he had just stabbed a man and was waiting outside his house.

Investigators found the 41-year-old male victim, Robert Lozano III of Stroudsburg, lying on the sidewalk between 337 and 335 Main Street. According to court documents, Lozano suffered multiple stab wounds to his neck and torso. He was taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Pocono campus, where he was later pronounced dead by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office on Sunday at 4:43 p.m.

Monroe County Coroner Tom Yanac could not immediately be reached Monday afternoon for further details on the cause and manner of death.

The mother of Lozano’s children told investigators that Lozano arrived at the home to drop off her children. She is also a relative of the suspect, police said.

The witness then observed an argument break out between Martinez and Lozano, which resulted in the pair breaking the porch railing and falling onto the sidewalk between properties 337 and 335 Main Street, according to court documents.

A witness said she saw Lozano covered in blood with a knife next to him, according to the probable cause affidavit. The document contains evidence and witness statements against the suspect.

A second witness told investigators he parked in the parking lot of a fast food restaurant across the street and saw the fighting and the bloodied victim. That witness called 911, according to court documents.

According to police, investigators found a steak knife with blood on the blade at the crime scene.

Martinez agreed to an interview with investigators Sunday at 9:18 p.m. He allegedly admitted to stabbing the victim multiple times with the steak knife.

Martinez must return to court for a preliminary hearing scheduled for 9:51 a.m. Oct. 17 before Levy. A judge will then determine whether there is enough evidence to send the case to the Monroe County Court of Common Pleas. Court records did not immediately provide information about Martinez’s attorney.

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Pamela Sroka-Holzmann can be reached at [email protected].