Andrew F. Rodriguez (34) Sentenced to Prison in Pismo Beach Stabbing Death

Author: District Attorney
Date: 11/17/2025 5:29 PM

District Attorney Dan Dow announced today that Andrew Frederick Rodriguez has been sentenced to eight years in prison for the stabbing death of Jonathan Campbell Perez (39) which occurred on September 11, 2024, in the city of Pismo Beach.

On October 20, 2025, Andrew Frederick Rodriguez (DOB 11/22/1989) pled guilty to the charge of involuntary manslaughter and admitted that he was previously convicted of the crime of residential burglary in Ventura County in 2010. This offense is a violent offense and considered a "strike" under California's Three Strikes Law. He also admitted that he served a term in state prison for sex crimes committed in in 2010 in Ventura County.

Rodriguez was sentenced based on a plea agreement to serve eight years in state prison. The defendant was sentenced to four years, the maximum sentence for involuntary manslaughter. The four years was then doubled to eight years based on his prior strike offense pursuant to California's Three Strikes Law.

The crime occurred in Pismo Beach on September 11, 2024, when Rodriguez inflicted a single stab wound to Jonathan "Jonny" Perez, resulting in his death. The crime was initially filed as a second-degree murder, but additional investigation resulted in the filing of the manslaughter charge and the eight year prison resolution.

At the sentencing hearing the victim's (Jonathan's) mother, brother, aunts, cousin, and friends provided statements to the court describing the impact of Jonny's death. Kimberly Moen-Perez, Jonathan's mother, detailed his enduring personality describing him as "independent and private, with a sharp wit and big heart. Genuine, straightforward, and full of laughter, he lived life on his own terms. His superpower was connecting with people - a rare gift that made them feel seen, heard, and truly cared for." She highlighted the tremendous outpouring of community support, stating "they have continued to lift us; grieving, comforting, and honoring Jonny in ways that reflect the meaningful connections he built." She noted that Jonathan's Celebration of Life was attended by hundreds.

Jonathan's brother, Daniel Perez, described that "every memory of my childhood, every milestone, every joy and every mistake is intertwined with him. We were only 17 months apart and losing him feels like losing a piece of my soul, like losing my reflection, like losing the person who knew every version of me and loved me anyway." Daniel added that Jonathan's "life was a testament to the power of kindness, respect, and humor - a testament to the way laughter can heal, the way loyalty can anchor you, the way a single human being can brighten a room simply by existing in it."

Daniel praised the resulting community support, noting "and yet - even in the darkest of grief - I know how lucky I am to have this army that stands behind me… We have a community that prays for peace in our hearts. They check in on me. They text me. They call me. They stop by my house. They stop by my work. They hug me. They love me. Unconditionally and endlessly."

This case was investigated by the Pismo Beach Police Department and the District Attorney's Bureau of Investigation, which effort was led by Senior DA Investigator Matthew Aanerud. Victim and family support was provided by Victim Advocate Tristan Millage.

Here is a copy of the charging document. Here is a copy of the defendant's booking photo.

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