Police: More charges to be filed against man accused of sex abuse

MONROE, N.C. — Police said more charges will be filed against a Monroe man accused of sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl for months.

Authorities arrested Fidel Rodriguez on Saturday on 29 different counts of rape, indecent liberties and first-degree sex offense.

Police said they uncovered the abuse after a passerby called 911 about a suspicious vehicle that was parked behind a vacant store on U.S. 74.

Investigators said a patrol officer found Rodriguez inside the truck, with the girl.

"They saw the suspect lying on top of the victim in the back seat, covered up by a blanket," Sgt. Mike Smith said.
Smith said Rodriguez had known the girl since she was a child and often babysat her as a favor to the family.

"He was often times placed in a caregiver's position with this victim on numerous occasions, which gave him the opportunity to exploit that relationship," Smith said.

Rodriguez confessed to the sexual abuse in interviews with detectives, police said, and expressed remorse over his actions.

Police said he couldn't remember how many times he had had sex with the victim, but told them he began showing her pornography on his phone over the summer and the relationship progressed from there, according to investigators.

Rodriguez is in the Union County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

WSOC