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A 30-year-old man was arrested and charged with several crimes, from sexual assault to child molestation, officials said Wednesday.
Jess Rodriguez was arrested on Saturday, Jan. 21, as a suspect in several incidents dating back to 2019, according to a statement by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
In July 2022, MCSO detectives interviewed a victim about an unrelated crime when he provided information about an unreported sexual assault allegation that occurred nearly two years ago and involved “Jesse Rodriguez.” was doing.
Medical problems prevented detectives from interviewing the victim about these allegations until late December, according to MCSO officials.
After receiving additional details, detectives “used all available databases and open source information.
“Investigators were successful in identifying the man involved as Jess Rodriguez, who was soon found to be involved in or linked to other sexual assault or sex crime allegations.”
The Glendale, Phoenix and Peoria Police Departments and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office have joined the MCSO effort.
Other allegations included a 15-year-old victim who said she met the suspect on social media, and a 19-year-old woman who said a friend had also met the suspect on social media.
According to the MCSO, some information was “associated with the suspects through known emails, social media profiles and usernames.”
“In addition to the allegations related to social media applications, the suspect was alleged to have habitually abused female victims between the ages of 9 and 11.”
Authorities said the suspect was under surveillance as the investigation progressed.
He faces five counts of sexual assault, five counts of sexual conduct with a minor, and one count of child abuse.
“Crime against children remains a top priority for the sheriff’s office,” Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said.
“This shows an extraordinary effort by a multi-jurisdictional agency to keep child predators off the streets.”