A 27-year-old former Webb County Sheriff’s deputy, Ignacio Rodriguez IV, has been charged with depriving a victim of their bodily integrity and privacy, as well as falsifying records, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.
Rodriguez is set to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher dos Santos at 9:41 a.m. on January 9. A federal grand jury returned a sealed two-count indictment on January 7, which was unsealed upon his arrest.
According to the indictment, on September 1, 2024, Rodriguez pulled over a driver during the course of his duties, where he allegedly sexually assaulted the victim and made threats involving a firearm, kidnapping, bodily injury, aggravated sexual abuse, and abusive sexual contact. The indictment also claims Rodriguez intentionally turned off his body-worn camera and dash camera to obstruct justice.
If convicted, Rodriguez faces up to life in prison for the civil rights violation and up to 20 years for falsifying records, along with fines of up to $250,000.
The investigation is being conducted by the FBI and the Laredo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leslie Ann Cortez and Brandon Scott Bowling are prosecuting the case.
