Mays Landing Man Convicted in Child Sex Abuse Case

Mays Landing, N.J. — A Mays Landing man could spend the rest of his life in prison for sexually abusing a young family member.

On Friday, 34-year-old Enmanuel Rodriguez was convicted by an Atlantic County jury of aggravated sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child, and endangering the welfare of a child following a week-long trial.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said on January 1, 2023, the Hamilton Township Police Department received a report of a minor who was sexually assaulted by her mother's cousin, Rodriguez, who is twenty years older than the victim.

Prosecutors Say Grooming Began Online

The victim disclosed that Rodriguez groomed her online with sexually inappropriate conversations and the exchange of explicit photographs. The contact progressed to the point where he arranged multiple "dates" with the then nine-year-old victim and asked her "to be his girlfriend." During those "dates," authorities said he had various forms of unlawful sexual contact with the victim.

According to the prosecutor's office, the victim delayed disclosing the abuse because she loved his family and did not want to see Rodriguez in trouble. She disclosed what happened two years after the abuse ended, when she was 11.

Prosecutors say once the report was made to police, an investigation led to a consensual intercept of Rodriguez's in-person conversation with the victim's mother. During that conversation, he admitted to inappropriate sexual contact, but minimized what he did to the victim. He repeatedly apologized to the victim's mother and claimed "he was already seeking help" and "knew he was wrong."

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Victim Testified for Hours

The now 14-year-old victim testified for hours at trial, and the jury convicted him on all charges.

Defendant Faces 25 Years to Life

Sentencing is tentatively scheduled for August 13 pending an Avenel evaluation. He faces 25 years to life in prison on the aggravated sexual assault of a child charge alone. He also faces mandatory parole supervision for life and Megan's Law registration.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com