A Camp Pendleton Marine was arrested last week by authorities after he allegedly contacted minors for sex and had child sexual abuse material while working as a recruiter in California, according to local law enforcement. He was booked into the Vista Detention Facility in San Diego County and was later released after posting bond. He faces felony charges of contacting minors for the purpose of sex, possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and sending harmful matter to minors. Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in a Fresno County courtroom on November 25th.
After receiving a criminal report in February 2024, ICAC detectives began an investigation into U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant Philip Rodriguez. Detectives learned Rodriguez had been assigned to work in Fresno as a recruiter for the Marine Corps. Part of his duties included interacting with minors who were interested in joining the U.S. Military. Rodriguez took the opportunity to send inappropriate digital images to a potential female recruit. As the investigation progressed, detectives discovered Rodriguez conducted the same type of illegal behavior with two other female minors.