Miami-Dade Charter School IT Director Arrested on Child Porn Charges

Michael Rodriguez, the technology director at Pinecrest Cove Preparatory Academy in southwest Miami-Dade, was arrested on child pornography charges after investigators received cyber tips indicating he had been viewing and sending child pornography while at work. Rodriguez, 32, faces six counts of possession of sexual performance by a child and one count of attempting to promote such performances. He admitted to the crimes during an interview following the execution of a search warrant on his electronic devices, which revealed folders containing explicit images of minors. Following his arrest, the school promptly terminated Rodriguez's employment and assured parents that the investigation is not believed to involve students or school operations. Rodriguez was granted a $35,000 bond during his court appearance and ordered to stay away from the school, with conditions including a GPS ankle monitor. The investigation was initiated after tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.