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Fairport, N.Y. (WHAM) — According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, Tony Rodriguez, 40, of Fairport, used Roblox, a popular online gaming platform, and other social media platforms, communicate with children.
BACKGROUND: Fairport man accused of using Roblox to communicate with minors for sex
After a mult-agency investigation led by the Fairport Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, Rodriguez was arrested and charged with enticement and possession of child pornography.
Federal prosecutors revealed that the investigation, which spanned several months, was initiated by a tip from a community member.
The community member in question, a Texas-based internet organization, according to the Fairport Police Department.
Alex Rosen leads Predator Poachers, the Texas-based group, which Rosen said posed as a minor, communicated with Rodriguez, and arranged a meeting at the Fairport Public Library in March. He says his team’s work has led to arrests in 48 states, excluding Alaska, and South Dakota.
The encounter, recorded and now viral with more than 100,000 views, shows Rosen confronting Rodriguez.
“Tony Rodriguez messaged us on a very, very common social media platform that everybody knows,” said Rosen. “We immediately tell him that we’re 11 years old, and he had basically no reservations about the age. He continued to be sexual,” said Rosen.
During the video, Rosen presented Rodriguez with printed screenshots of their communications.
“We just stick with talking to them consensually, letting them know they can leave at any time, and whatever information they want to divulge is going straight to law enforcement,” Rosen explained.
Rosen later handed over his findings to the Fairport Police, which led to a comprehensive investigation.
Chief Matt Barnes of the Fairport Police Department emphasized the severity of the alleged crimes.
“These guys are savages. And I don’t use that term lightly,” said Barnes. These guys — the guys that target young children or prey on them for sex and everything else. They’re absolute savages.”
A month after the initial tip, another online group alerted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office when Rodriguez attended a similar meeting, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Investigators reportedly detained Rodriguez, seizing two cell phones and recovering six images of child pornography.
Authorities reported that Rodriguez was active on social media platforms, including Reddit, Instagram and Roblox, to communicate with minors.
Barnes urges parents to engage with their children and be aware of their activity on the internet.
“This is so widespread. This is not an isolated incident. This really isn’t,” he said. “This will not be the only arrest coming out of this office for these kinds of crimes in the future. It won’t be, I can promise you that.”
“We’ve had cases go federal before, but it’s taken months and months and months,” added Rosen. “…But Fairport had it in the feds’ hands in less than two months. I think that’s lightning quick efficiency from Fairport.”
Rodriguez was arrested Tuesday and appeared before a magistrate judge but did not enter a plea. He remains in federal custody at the Monroe County Jail and is due back in court on June 9. His attorney has not yet responded to 13WHAM’s request for comment.
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