February 18, 2025
The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is an active participant in the North Florida ICAC (Internet Crimes Against Children) Task Force. On Friday, February 14, 2025 a lengthy investigation was concluded in a joint operation in conjunction with the Gainesville Police Department at a residence in Levy County with an Archer, Florida address.
ICAC Detectives assigned to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division along with other ICAC Unit detectives arrested Julio Bernard Rodriguez (5/19/1991) for possession of child sexual abuse material. This arrest came about after an investigation was initiated upon receiving a Cyber Tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The Cyber Tip, initially investigated by the Gainesville Police Department ICAC Unit, determined Rodriguez was storing child sexual abuse material on an electronic device. Detectives with the Gainesville Police Department discovered Rodriguez resided in Levy County. The Gainesville Police Department forwarded their investigation to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division where an investigation was immediately opened. Based on this investigation Detectives obtained a search warrant for Rodriguez and his residence.
Detectives executed the search and found a computer and cellphone belonging to Rodriguez contained child sexual abuse material. Rodriguez was arrested for 10 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of unlawful use of two-way device. Rodriguez was transported to the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau.
Rodriguez’s bond was set at $1.1 million dollars on Saturday, February 15, 2025.
ICAC investigations often start with cyber tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Detectives gather information through subpoenas, search warrants and interviews. These investigations take weeks or months to gather sufficient evidence to bring a perpetrator to justice. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office is dedicated to combating crimes against children and is steadfast in this mission.