A 77-year-old Laval man who was arrested in September for child pornography is now facing charges of pedophilia, CTV Montreal's Maya Johnson has learned.
Mario Heber Rodriguez was first arrested and charged on Sept. 23, following an investigation that the Surete du Quebec began in June.
That case was transferred to Laval police who seized Rodriguez's computer and searched his house for evidence of child pornography.
Rodriguez was then charged with possession and distribution of child porn, then released on bail.
The arrest and seizure of pornographic images shocked parents who live in the neighbourhood and one person put up signs in a nearby park warning others about Rodriguez's arrest.
Since then several parents have come forward with evidence suggesting Rodriguez may also be a pedophile with at least three child victims.
Police arrested Rodriguez for a second time on Nov. 4, and the following day he was charged with sexual assault, sexual contact, and the child pornography distribution charges were expanded.
Rodriguez is accused of showing children pornography, and then touching them in a sexual manner.
Following the new charges Rodriguez was once again granted bail, in part because he has no criminal history.
Constable Franco Di Genova said the bail conditions Rodriguez now faces are more strict.
"He cannot be anywhere near minors that includes libraries, schools, parks. He cannot have a computer, that includes an iPhone, not at all,"
Rodriguez lives alone in one unit of a triplex on Fregault St., with a son and grandchild in another part of the same building.
Police are now urging any other possible victims to come forward.
