Payson man arrested in sex-abuse case
The boy and his mother went to Provo police Sept. 23, where the boy told officers that he first met the 39-year-old man at the Orem Recreation Center, according to a police affidavit filed in 4th District Court.
The man gave the boy a ride home and a few days later offered to give him a job installing tile, according to the affidavit.
That night, the boy stayed overnight at the man's house with the understanding that they were going out early to a job, police said.
During the night, police said, the man asked the boy if he would engage in sexual behavior with him and the boy refused.
Police said the man even offered the boy money, which he also refused. The man then pointed to rifles and a handgun within reach, and told the boy if he didn't cooperate, he would be killed, according to the affidavit.
The boy said he was frightened and began to cry as the man took off the boy's clothes and began to sodomize him, police said.
The man reiterated that he would kill the boy and his family if he told anyone, according to the affidavit.
The boy said the abuse happened for nearly five months every Friday and Saturday in Provo near 1100 N. 700 West. It continued even after the man moved to Payson in the area of 8800 S. 5600 West, according to the affidavit.
Police said the victim stated he believed the suspect was sexually abusing other juveniles, said Provo Police Capt. Cliff Argyle.
Police know the identity of possible additional victims and Provo detectives will be interviewing them, Argyle said.
The boy told police that the man frequently reminded him of the guns and repeated his threats, police said.
After the boy came forward, police obtained a search warrant for the man's Payson home.
Late Thursday, the Utah County Sheriff's Office SWAT team and detectives from Provo police and the Utah Valley Special Victims Task Force executed the warrant and found three semi-automatic .22 caliber rifles plus child pornography and materials for making child pornography in the man's home.
Pedro Hugo Rodriguez was arrested at the home and booked into the Utah County Jail for investigation of numerous instances of aggravated of sexual abuse and possession of a weapon by a restricted person.
He was given a $250,000 cash-only bail; however, because he is in the United States illegally, he is being held by immigration authorities and not eligible to bail out, Argyle said.
The man will appear in 4th District Court on Oct. 6 at 8:30 a.m.
E-mail: sisraelsen@desnews.com
Recent comments
Parents need to wake up. There was no need to spend the night with…
Anonymous | Sept. 30, 2008 at 11:33 a.m.
Another good reason to close our borders.
Thank you, | Sept. 29, 2008 at 5:11 p.m.
Two problems with this case and the reporting of it. The legal word…
Mr. Skeptical | Sept. 29, 2008 at 5:06 p.m.
