Mays Landing Man Gets 35 Years for Sexually Abusing 9-Year-Old Cousin

Mays Landing, N.J. — A Mays Landing man has been sentenced to several decades in prison for sexually abusing his nine-year-old cousin.

Back in May, 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.

On Thursday, he was sentenced to 35 years in state prison after the Court found that he poses "a high risk of reoffending" and "had no remorse for victimizing his minor cousin."

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said the case began on January 1st, 2023, when 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," the prosecutor's office 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."

Victim Testified for Hours

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

The sentence is subject to the Jessica Lunsford Act and the No Early Release Act. Rodriguez must also register under Megan's Law upon his release from state prison and serve parole supervision for life.

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