Beach man sentenced for sexually abusing sisters

VIRGINIA BEACH

A Virginia Beach man was ordered to serve 6-1/2 years in prison for sexually abusing two girls he met at church.

Juan Bautista Rodriguez, 51, pleaded guilty in Virginia Beach Circuit Court on Wednesday to attempted rape, two counts of attempted forcible sodomy, two counts of aggravated sexual battery, two counts of indecent liberties by a custodian and two counts of unlawful filming of a minor, according to Macie Pridgen, a spokeswoman for Commonwealth's Attorney Harvey Bryant's office.

Circuit Judge Stephen C. Mahan sentenced Rodriguez to 25 years, then suspended 18 years and six months of the sentence, if he is on good behavior for 25 years.

Rodriguez met the girls and their family because they all attended Hispanic Baptist Church on Virginia Beach Boulevard, according to court documents.

He volunteered to baby-sit them and take them to doctor's appointments, according to court documents. Rodriguez took care of the girls four times.

While in his home or his truck, Rodriguez took photos of the girls when they were undressed, convinced them to touch him and also touched them, according to court documents.

He also tried to have sex with one of the girls, but wasn't able to, according to the documents.

The girls told their older sister, who informed their mother. Rodriguez admitted his actions to police and a church elder.

"He stated that the girls are sweet and innocent; he knew it was wrong, and he did not know why he did it," according to court documents.

Rodriguez's attorney, Brad C. Hudgins, said that his client acknowledged his wrongdoing.

Jen McCaffery, (757) 222-5119, jen.mccaffery@pilotonline.com