CLEVELAND — An Ohio police officer is facing federal child porn charges after being arrested at a Florida airport.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Rafael Rodriguez arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Colombia on Tuesday, according to federal court records.
He was selected for a secondary inspection when a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer asked to see Rodriguez’s iPhone, according to CBS affiliate WOIO in Cleveland.
The officer went through the phone and saw files featuring minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
TRENDING STORIES:
- STAY INFORMED: First area school districts announce delays due to fog
- Bicyclist seriously injured after being hit by car at busy intersection in Montgomery Co.
- WATCH: Local high school boy’s basketball buzzer-beater gets national attention
WOIO reports that U.S. Customs called the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and verified what was on the phone.
They arrested Rodriguez, who was facing charges of Transportation and possession of Visual depictions involving the Sexual Exploitation of Minors, WOIO said.
Rodriguez is a Cleveland Police officer. The department placed him on unpaid leave after his arrest.
WOIO says that he was hired back in December 2001 and recently served in the Airport Unit.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
©2026 Cox Media Group
