Jay Clayton, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York | Department of Justice
United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced on Apr. 16 that Alber Rodriguez has been charged with sexual exploitation of a minor. Rodriguez was arrested the previous day and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court, where he was detained.
The case is significant because it involves allegations of repeated abuse against a young victim and highlights ongoing efforts to protect children from exploitation.
According to the complaint, on or about April 11, 2026, an individual identified as Witness-1 reported to the Ramapo Police Department that they had seen sexually explicit images of a minor on Rodriguez's cellphone. The images were found in Rodriguez’s photo gallery and were reportedly taken at a location in Rockland County on September 10 and September 13, 2024, when the victim was twelve years old.
The victim has since disclosed that Rodriguez sexually abused them multiple times over two years and took photos of them naked during at least one incident in Rockland County. On April 11, 2026, Rodriguez was arrested and charged by local authorities with several offenses including Course of Sexual Conduct against a Child in the First Degree and Possessing an Obscene Sexual Performance by a Child.
Clayton said: “As alleged, Alber Rodriguez sexually abused a 12-year-old child and recorded that abuse—conduct that is as cruel as it is criminal. This Office has zero tolerance for those who prey on children. Protecting New Yorkers, especially our youngest and most vulnerable, is our priority. If you exploit a child in this District, we will find you, we will charge you, and we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law. We will not stop until those who endanger our children are taken off our streets and held fully accountable.”
Authorities believe there may be other victims connected to this case. Individuals with information are encouraged to contact the FBI at their hotline or through their online tip portal.
Rodriguez faces one count of sexual exploitation of a child carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years in prison and up to thirty years if convicted; sentencing decisions will ultimately be made by the judge overseeing the case.
Clayton praised law enforcement agencies involved in investigating this matter including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Ramapo Police Department, Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, and Rockland County District Attorney’s Office.
