Disabled Group Home’s Nursing Assistant Filmed Himself Sexually Abusing Children
Photo: Steve Rodriguez
LOS ANGELES – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent out an alert on 09/09/2021 that a federal grand jury has charged Steve Jackson Rodriguez (37) of Pomona on 09/08/2021 in a six-count indictment that includes four counts alleging he produced child pornography.
Rodriguez, a a certified nursing assistant worked at a Southern California group home for severely-disabled patients, had filmed himself sexually abusing children.
Rodriguez, who’d been employed at group homes and mental health facilities for disabled patients, was indicted for multiple child exploitation crimes – including filming himself sexually abusing children at the
group home facility.
“The indictment alleges Rodriguez produced child pornography with three minor victims, two of whom were severely disabled patients being housed at an Inland Empire group home that employed Rodriguez” said ICE. “One of the disabled victims was 8 years old when Rodriguez filmed the illegal sexual conduct.”
The indictment also charges Rodriguez for allegedly victimizing and filming sexual encounters with an additional minor – who’d been enticed into engaging in lewd acts and sex.
The ongoing HSI investigation into this case is part of the Los Angeles Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC). The investigation commenced in July when the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children provided information to ICAC.
In addition, Special agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) are seeking the public’s assistance to identify potential victims in this ongoing investigation. Originally arrested by HSI on 08/25/2021, pursuant to a criminal complaint, Rodriguez’ indictment arraignment is scheduled for 09/16/2021 in Los Angeles.
Once the arraignment takes place, Rodriguez and his case will appear before a federal judge in Riverside for his child-exploitation crimes. The U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California’s Violent and Organized Crime Section is the Posecutor.
Rodriguez faces the statutory maximum penalty – a mandatory life in federal prison, If convicted as charged in the indictment. Added to that, for alleged production of child pornography, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison for each of the four counts.
HSI special agents have reason to believe that Rodriguez may have had illegal sexual conduct with other victims during his employment at group homes and psychiatric care facilities where he has worked as a certified nursing assistant. If you have any information about potential victims in this matter, please call
the HSI tip line at (866) 347-2423.
