Roman Rodriguez, a 26-year-old resident of Bakersfield, has pleaded guilty to charges related to the receipt and distribution of child pornography. Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith announced the plea in Fresno, California.
Court documents reveal that between February 18 and February 22, 2024, Rodriguez utilized an iPhone and internet services to receive and distribute over 600 images depicting children involved in sexually explicit acts. These images included depictions involving prepubescent minors and at least one toddler.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, the U.S. Secret Service, the Central California Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Bakersfield Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter.
Rodriguez is set for sentencing on March 31, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Thurston. He faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison with a potential maximum sentence of up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The final sentence will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood, an initiative started in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse nationwide. The project leverages resources from federal, state, and local levels to pursue offenders who exploit children while also identifying victims for rescue efforts.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood or internet safety education resources visit www.usdoj.gov/psc.