By F. Scott Faulkner
July 19, 2025 – Santa Barbara County, Ca.
A months-long investigation into online child exploitation led to the arrest of a Santa Maria man.
On July 15, detectives uncovered a disturbing cache of illegal materials and firearms in the home of Juan Rodriguez, 42.
On July 15, detectives with the Santa Maria Police Department served a search warrant at a local
area residence in connection with what SMPD spokesman Lt. Van Meel indicated as “suspected
possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material.”
What they found was more than they anticipated.
Inside the home, investigators seized “over 35 firearms, including assault-style rifles, illegally
modified weapons, and high-capacity magazines.”
Some of the guns were unregistered, and others appeared to violate state firearms laws.
Rodriguez of Santa Maria was present during the search and was taken into custody without incident.
According to Meel, “The discovery of such a large and illegal weapons cache only adds to the
serious nature of this case.”
Rodriguez was booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail on multiple felony charges related to
both child sexual abuse material and firearms violations and remains in custody on a no-bail
hold.
