A former Internal Revenue Service agent and Oakland tax enforcement officer has been charged in connection with a scheme that stole $3 million in COVID-19 pandemic relief money.
SANTA CRUZ — Law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help in identifying potential victims of sex crimes related to last month’s arrest of a 71-year-old Aptos minister.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is investigating alleged crimes by Oscar Rodriguez of Santa Cruz. A juvenile came forward with allegations against Rodriguez in August that dated back seven years earlier, according to the agency. Rodriguez, per the sheriff’s office spokesperson Ashley Keehn, worked with children in his capacity as a minister, prompting detectives to seek additional potential victims this month.
On the website for Calvary Chapel Aptos, Rodriguez is listed as an elder under the church’s positions of leadership page.
The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office filed eight felony charges on Oct. 18, including communicating with a minor for a lewd act, arranging to meet a minor, five counts of a lewd act with a child 10 years or older and oral copulation of a person under 18. Rodriguez bailed out of jail last month and pleaded not guilty to charges at his Nov. 1 arraignment. He is set to return to Santa Cruz County Superior Court on Nov. 13 to schedule his arraignment.
The sheriff’s office investigation remains active and ongoing. Members of the public are asked to call dispatch at 831-471-1121 with any additional information.
Originally published at Jessica York