ROCHESTER MAN PLEADS GUILTY

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Tony Rodriguez, 40, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Meredith A. Vacca to attempted enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, a maximum of life, and a fine of $250,000.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Melissa M. Marangola, who is handling the case, stated that between February 26 and March 12, 2025, Rodriguez engaged in graphic sexual conversations online with a person he believed to be an 11 year-old girl. Rodriguez was actually communicating with a member of the community group “Predator Poachers.” In addition to online conversations, Rodriguez also arranged a meeting with the 11-year-old girl in person, to engage in sexual activity. He arranged for the 11-year-old to meet him at the Fairport Public Library on March 12, 2025. However, when Rodriguez arrived at the library, he was confronted by the community group member. He left the location prior to the arrival of law enforcement.

On April 15, 2025, law enforcement responded to a residence in the Town of Perinton and apprehended Rodriguez for attempting to meet a 13-year-old female to engage in sexual contact. In reality, the 13-year-old was a member of an unrelated community group called “Child Predator Hunter.” Rodriguez was then taken into custody for this incident and arrested for the March 12, 2025 incident at the Fairport Library.

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, under the direction of Sheriff Todd Baxter, the Fairport Police Department, under the direction of Acting Police Chief Matt Weber, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Philip Tejera.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 28, 2026, at 10 a.m. before Judge Vacca.