SMYRNA, TN - The Smyrna Police Department is notifying the public after the arrest of Edwardo Rodriguez who was charged with violating the sex offender registry. Rodriguez is a manager of a restaurant in Smyrna, according to police.
Authorities stated, “After receiving information earlier in the week about Rodriguez having direct supervision over minor employees of the business, along with allegations of inappropriate behavior towards minor employees, the Smyrna Police Department launched an immediate investigation into these allegations. Rodriguez is a known violent sex offender and is currently on the Sex Offender Registry. Additionally, Rodriguez is on probation with TDOC for the charges relating to him being on the Sex Offender Registry.”
Through Smyrna Police Departments investigation, it was learned that Rodriguez is reportedly a manager at the Smyrna restaurant and at other locations of the business. The subject was allegedly put in direct and unsupervised contact with minors at his job site(s), according to police.
On Friday, April 12th, Smyrna Detectives observed Rodriguez and a fifteen (15) year old female employee get into Rodriguez's vehicle. Investigators say they witnessed the situation unfold and the two, Rodriguez and the minor, were together at the restaurant after closing. Subsequently, Rodriguez was arrested for violating his Sex Offender Registry restrictions. After being placed behind bars, Rodriguez posted a $25,000 bond to be released.
Smyrna Police report this is an ongoing investigation, and detectives evidently felt it was necessary to inform the public of this incident to help ensure the minor employees within the community have a safe and appropriate work environment.
MORE: Record information with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Rodriguez bonded out of jail on Saturday morning at 5 AM. The Tennessee Department of Corrections show that he remains on probation through the Murfreesboro Probation & Parole Office on Old Fort Parkway.
In 2001, the suspect was charged with criminal attempt to commit attempted aggravated sexual battery. In 1988, Rodriguez was charged with the rape of a child and aggravated sexual battery. The registry also shows that in addition to working in Smyrna, he may have worked for an employer in the Murfreesboro area.
DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.
