Federal prosecutors say a Montebello man is facing a federal charge after investigators allegedly found images of a child being sexually abused on his phone. Alber Rodriguez, 48, was arrested on April 11 and brought into federal court in White Plains, where a judge ordered him detained. Authorities say the victim was 12 years old when some of the photos were taken and that the images were located in Rodriguez’s cellphone gallery.
What prosecutors allege
According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, a witness came forward on April 11 after seeing what appeared to be sexually explicit photos of a minor in Rodriguez’s phone gallery. The federal complaint states that some of the images were taken in Rockland County on Sept. 10 and Sept. 13, 2024, and that the files appeared consecutively in the phone’s photo library.
Prosecutors say the victim, who is now 13, reported repeated abuse over a two year period. Investigators are also looking into whether there may be additional victims.
“As alleged, Alber Rodriguez sexually abused a 12‑year‑old child and recorded that abuse—conduct that is as cruel as it is criminal,” U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in the news release. The office said it intends to pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law and underscored that protecting children remains a top priority.
Investigation and local response
Federal prosecutors credited the FBI, the Ramapo Police Department, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office with building the case. They also noted that Rodriguez faces state charges in the Village of Montebello Justice Court, including a count of course of sexual conduct against a child.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office shared its announcement on X, including a link to the federal complaint and related documents. That post can be found on X.
Court process and penalties
Rodriguez was presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Judith C. McCarthy in White Plains federal court. Judge McCarthy ordered him detained while the case proceeds.
In federal court, Rodriguez is charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a child. Under 18 U.S.C. § 2251, that charge carries a mandatory minimum term of 15 years in prison and a maximum of 30 years if he is convicted. The White Plains Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is handling the prosecution, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha Briggs and Marcia S. Cohen listed as counsel.
If you have information
Prosecutors say there may be other victims and are asking anyone with information to contact the FBI at 1‑800‑CALL‑FBI (1‑800‑225‑5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. Authorities are urging potential witnesses or anyone who may have relevant information to come forward as the investigation continues.
The charges in the complaint are allegations. Rodriguez is presumed innocent unless and until he is proven guilty in court.
