Full Notification

On Monday, April 30, 2012 at approximately 9:42 p.m., a Cypress Police Officer was conducting foot patrol at Maple Grove Park South when she observed a male and female sitting together on a park bench. The officer began speaking with both subjects and learned the female was only 15-years-old. The male subject, later identified as William Gabriel Rodriguez, initially told the officer he was 18-years-old. Further investigation by the officer revealed that Rodriguez was actually 29-years-old, and that he met the 15-year-old female online through a social networking website. Rodriguez told the officer that his intention was to have the 15-year-old female model for his photography business and he identified himself on the social networking site as the “Tattooed Photographer.”

When the officer informed the 15-year-old female of Rodriguez’s true age, the female disclosed that Rodriguez had kissed her and also sent her several text messages, including a lewd photograph to her cell phone. Further examination of the text messages revealed Rodriguez went to the park to engage in lewd contact with the victim, and he was subsequently arrested for the listed charges.

Rodriguez was booked into the Orange County Jail with his bail set at $100,000. He remains in custody awaiting arraignment later this month.

Due to the circumstances surrounding this case, it is possible there are additional victims. Anyone with information regarding Mr. Rodriguez or anyone that may have had contact with him through a social networking website is asked to the call the Cypress Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Bureau at (714) 229-6631.