Conviction in Child Molestation Case

Martin Rodriguez, of LaBelle, was convicted of two counts of Lewd or Lascivious Molestation and one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor. The jury returned the guilty verdict following a two-day trial in Glades County.

Assistant State Attorney Evan Chaput prosecuted the case.

In 2022, the child victim reported the defendant to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, for committing sex crimes in previous years. They did an investigation and determined the crimes occurred in Glades County. The Glades County Sheriff’s Office then took over the investigation.

The defendant would give the child victim nicotine vapes and marijuana and then molest the child. The crimes happened multiple times over a period of years.

Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2025.

Samantha Syoen – State Attorney’s Office Communications Director