FORMER UNIVERSITY POSTDOCTORAL SCHOLAR SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTION AND RECEIPT OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - Dylan Kelby Rogers, 39, formerly of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison for distribution and receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "These crimes deserve swift and severe punishment not only because they involve the sexual exploitation of minors, but because those minors continue to be re-victimized each time these horrific videos and images of their exploitation are shared. I am proud of the outstanding investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners in this case, and my office remains committed to using the full force of the law to hold accountable the predators who victimize our children."

Court documents reflect that in December 2024, Rogers, a local university postdoctoral scholar, reported to the Tallahassee Police Department that he was extorted online. During an interview with a federal agent, Rogers explained that he and an individual had watched child pornography on an online application and showed the agent a folder on his cell phone that contained several child pornography videos. Law enforcement seized Rogers's cell phone and conducted a forensic examination of it. A search of the phone revealed more than 30 illegal videos. Rogers's cell phone also contained evidence of his communications with other online users about child pornography.

"The exploitation of children is one of the most heinous crimes we face, and the Tallahassee Police Department remains dedicated to bringing offenders to justice, said Chief Lawrence Revell. "This case highlights the importance of strong partnerships in protecting our most vulnerable."

"Dylan Rogers' actions represent a deeply disturbing betrayal of trust and highlight the alarming prevalence of child exploitation crimes in our society," said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. "This is not just a law enforcement issue but a societal challenge that requires vigilance, education, and collaboration across all sectors to protect the most vulnerable among us. HSI, alongside our partners, remains unwavering in our efforts to tirelessly combat the scourge of child exploitation, bring offenders to justice, and safeguard our children from harm."

Rogers' imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face an additional period of incarceration. Additionally, Rogers was ordered to pay restitution to victims and he will be required to register as a sex offender.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney's Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.