A Michigan priest known for his work with religious relics and his exorcism podcast is facing a misdemeanor battery charge in Illinois. Father Carlos Martins, co-host of "The Exorcist Files" podcast, allegedly placed a 13-year-old girl's hair in his mouth and used it like dental floss during a St. Jude relic tour at the Queen of Apostles parish in Joliet, Illinois, on November 21, 2024.

According to the criminal complaint, after the alleged hair incident, Martins sat behind the teenager and made growling noises. The incident led to the immediate cancellation of the religious tour and the involvement of local police. The Diocese of Joliet asked Martins to leave the parish and the diocese.

Martins' attorney, Marcella Burke, vehemently denies the accusations, calling them "completely false and repulsive" and characterizing the situation as an attempt to discredit the priest and the Church.

Martins has been arraigned and released pending a pretrial hearing scheduled for February 24th, although his presence is not required at that hearing. The Companions of the Cross, the religious order associated with Treasures of the Church, stated that Martins has agreed to step back from his pastoral duties. They emphasized his right to due process and expressed concern for everyone involved. Martins' ministry status within the Archdiocese of Detroit is now listed as "revoked."