CARMEL, NEW YORK – October 19, 2026 – Putnam County District Attorney, Robert Tendy announced today that Cesar Hernandez Rodriguez, a Mexican citizen, was recently returned to the United States after a prolonged and complicated extradition process. The arrest stems from allegations of sexual assault on two women which occurred on July 4 and 5 of 2022 in the Town of Putnam Valley. Rodriguez fled the country shortly thereafter.

He was located in Canada in February of 2026.

Working with US and Canadian agencies, the District Attorney’s Office began the process of extraditing Rodriguez from Canada to the United States. “Our special victims ADA, Chana Krauss, spent ten months working on this extradition. She had to work with various agencies from three countries and had to ensure that every legal issue was handled precisely. It took a ton of work, and we are very proud of her,” Tendy said.

Tendy said his office stayed in contact with the victims during the entire process.
After Rodriguez was found in Canada, the District Attorney’s Office, working with the US Marshal’s Office, ICE agents, The US Justice Department, the US Attorney’s Office, NY Port Authority, Canadian agencies, and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office coordinated the extradition process which eventually led to Rodriguez being flown from Canada to JFK Airport where he was picked up and brought back to Putnam.
The allegations against Rodriguez are Rape, Predatory Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse, and other crimes.