Philip Rodriguez, 32, of Palmdale, Los Angeles County, California, United States is a U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant stationed at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, California. He is accused of contacting minors for sex.
In 2015, Rodriguez enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He held the military occupational specialty of motor transportation operations chief.
Why was Philip Rodriguez arrested?
As a recruiter for the U.S. Marine Corps, Rodriguez had been assigned to work in Fresno, Fresno County, California. While interacting with minors interested in joining the U.S. Armed Forces, which was part of his duties, he allegedly took the opportunity to send inappropriate digital images to a potential female recruit and two other underage girls.
In February 2024, Centra California’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force received a criminal report and started investigating Rodriguez. They secured an arrested warrant for him.
Law enforcement in Fresno worked with members of the ICAC task force and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) San Diego, San Diego County to coordinate taking Rodriguez into custody. On November 14, 2024, ICAC detectives arrested on base at Camp Pendleton.
Rodriguez was booked into the Vista Detention Facility in Vista, San Diego County. He was charged with contacting minors for the purpose of sex, sending harmful matter to minors and possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
After posting bond, Rodriguez was released. On November 25, 2024, he will appear in a courtroom in Fresno County.
Currently, Rodriguez is assigned to I Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion. He remains on active duty.
CONAN Daily 