U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert | U.S. Department of Justice
Roman Rodriguez, a 26-year-old resident of Bakersfield, has entered a guilty plea to charges related to the receipt and distribution of child pornography. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that between February 18 and February 22, 2024, Rodriguez used an iPhone and the internet to receive and distribute over 600 images depicting children engaged in sexually explicit conduct. These images included content involving prepubescent minors and at least one toddler.
The investigation leading to Rodriguez's guilty plea 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. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany M. Gunter is handling the prosecution.
Rodriguez is scheduled 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 penalty of up to 20 years and a $250,000 fine. The final sentence will be determined by the court after considering statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, an initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice aimed at combating child sexual exploitation and abuse. The project coordinates federal, state, and local resources to prosecute offenders and rescue victims. More information about Project Safe Childhood can be found at www.usdoj.gov/psc under the "resources" tab.
