Predator Gets 20 Years: Teens Targeted

⏱ 3 min read

Manuel Rodriguez, 29, is headed to federal prison for two decades. The Pasco, Washington man was sentenced March 11, 2026, after being convicted of preying on teenage girls online. It began in late 2022 with a 15-year-old high school student, but quickly spiraled into a pattern of grooming and sexual assault that spanned multiple states.

The case cracked open in February 2023 when the victim reported being sexually assaulted by Rodriguez, then 26, resulting in a pregnancy. Detectives with the Pasco Police Department (PPD) and the Southeast Regional Internet Crimes Against Children (SER-ICAC) Task Force traced the abuse back to October 2022, when Rodriguez connected with the girl on Snapchat. From there, a barrage of explicit messages led to two December assaults after Rodriguez picked her up.

But Rodriguez wasn’t limiting himself to one victim. A deep dive into his digital footprint revealed contact with numerous other users claiming to be underage girls – some as young as 13. He wasn’t just talking; Rodriguez actively solicited and received explicit photos and videos, including from a 14-year-old girl living out of state.

Chief Judge Stanley A. Bastian didn’t just hand down the 20-year sentence. Rodriguez will also be subject to a lifetime of supervised release after prison, mandatory sex offender registration, and severe restrictions on his use of electronic devices. Authorities say the goal is to ensure he can’t exploit another child.