A Shiprock man was arrested May 30 and charged with child sex crimes.
Rodney Nez, 34, is charged with two counts of criminal sexual penetration of a child under the age of 13, a first-degree felony; and two counts of manufacturing child pornography, a second-degree felony.
The charges are in connection to two incidents that reportedly happened in August and September 2025 at a home in the 1000 block of Walnut Drive in Farmington, according to the affidavit for arrest warrant.
Nez reportedly visited the home Aug. 2, 2025, and allegedly took explicit photographs of the child with his phone, the affidavit said.
Nez reportedly went back to the home Sept. 14, 2025, and allegedly took videos of himself sexually assaulting the child, the affidavit said.
A friend found the images and videos on the phone belonging to Nez and reported it May 26 to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. An investigation was opened.
Farmington Police took over the investigation when it was learned the alleged abuse happened in Farmington.
When police questioned Nez, he reportedly admitted to taking the photographs and videos, but “attempted to minimize or rationalize the abuse,” but said the child “became ‘used to’ the abuse” and began “engaging in sexually behaviors,” according to the affidavit.
Nez also reportedly “acknowledge his actions may have negatively impacted the child,” and he “admitted the abuse likely altered (the child’s) behavior,” the affidavit said.
Police asked Nez if he wanted to write an apology letter to the child and the child’s family. He agreed and then reportedly said he felt relief after discussing the incidents with detectives and stated, “everything is all out there now,” the affidavit said.
Nez was released June 1 to pretrial services and was ordered to have no contact with the child in the case.
A preliminary examination is set for 8:30 a.m. June 24 in Farmington Magistrate Court.