St. Paul City Council candidate David Martinez released from jail

After two nights in the Ramsey County jail, St. Paul City Council candidate David Martinez was released Wednesday without being charged.

The 38-year-old was arrested Monday for probable cause of nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images after a seminude photo of his estranged wife appeared on his campaign website.

The Ramsey County Attorney's Office issued a statement Wednesday saying there was little it could disclose about the active case.

"We are working with law enforcement on this case and have requested additional investigation to inform our charging decision," said county attorney spokesman Dennis Gerhardstein.

Martinez is running against Shirley Erstad and Mitra Jalali Nelson for the open Fourth Ward council seat. He has said that his website — which has since been taken down — was hacked, and that he will not drop out of the race, despite calls from his opponents and Mayor Melvin Carter that he do so.

Election Day is Aug. 14. A candidate forum planned for Wednesday evening at the University of St. Thomas was canceled Tuesday, after Martinez said publicly that he would continue his campaign for the council seat.

Martinez could not be reached for comment.

Martinez's arrest Monday was his second in less than two weeks. On July 5, he was arrested at George Latimer Central Library in downtown St. Paul and cited for disorderly conduct.

The next day, he was banned from Target Field for a year after scuffling with security officers.