ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Guillermo Rodriguez Garcia, 39, of Deming, New Mexico, made an initial appearance in federal court today facing charges of production of child pornography. Rodriguez Garcia will remain in custody pending a detention hearing scheduled for March 1.
According to a criminal complaint, on May 18, 2020, police responded to an incident relating to an accusation of sexual abuse of children. After follow-up interviews, on Jan. 26, 2021, Rodriguez Garcia was arrested on a New Mexico state charge of criminal sexual penetration of the first degree. A search of Rodriguez Garcia’s cellphone identified two videos as potential child pornography. The videos, from Aug. 26 and 27 of 2019, allegedly show Rodriguez Garcia engaging in sexual conduct with a 12-year-old victim.
A complaint is only an allegation. A defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty. If convicted, Rodriguez Garcia faces a minimum of 15 years and up to 30 years in prison.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) investigated this case with assistance from the Deming Police Department and the 6th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Marisa A. Ong is prosecuting the case.