Roman Rodriguez, a 26-year-old resident of Bakersfield, was sentenced to 15.5 years in prison for receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston, as announced by U.S. Attorney Eric Grant.
Court documents state that between February 18 and February 22, 2024, Rodriguez used an iPhone and the internet to obtain and share images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Authorities found that Rodriguez received over 600 images, including material involving prepubescent children and at least one toddler.
The investigation involved Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Bakersfield Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter prosecuted the case.
“This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse,” according to the release. “Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims.” More information about Project Safe Childhood is available at www.usdoj.gov/psc.
