courts:

Former teacher pleads not guilty in child porn case

Justin M. Bowen

Former Garrett Junior High School teacher Charles Richard Rogers pleaded not guilty July 2 in District Court to 76 counts of sexual assault of a minor, lewdness with a child, use of a child in pornography and possession of child pornography.

By Jean Reid Norman (contact)

Thursday, July 2, 2009 | 2:18 p.m.

Charles Richard "Rick" Rogers Arraignment

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Charles Richard "Rick" Rogers

Former Garrett Junior High School teacher Charles Richard Rogers pleaded not guilty today in District Court to 76 counts of sexual assault of a minor, lewdness with a child, use of a child in pornography and possession of child pornography.

In a small basement courtroom in the Regional Justice Center, Rogers, 46, appeared behind a glass wall in a jail jumpsuit and glasses and told District Judge Kevin Williams that he had a copy of the indictment against him and that he pleaded not guilty to all 76 charges.

Rogers, who remains in the Clark County Detention Center on $1.3 million bail, was arrested March 26 after police received a computer storage device containing child pornography that allegedly had come from his home.

The indictment lists incidents from 1999 through 2009 and names seven victims. It also notes that the identities of several children appearing in the pornography are unknown.

The indictment included two counts of sexual assault of a minor, four counts of use of a minor in pornography, 17 counts of lewdness with a child under 14, 50 counts of possession of child pornography, one count of open and gross lewdness, one count of attempted lewdness with a minor under 14 and one count of child abuse and neglect.

Six family members and friends attended the 20-minute hearing, and Rogers exchanged looks with them as his attorney, Bill Terry, spoke to the judge about hearing dates and procedures.

Rogers, who has diabetes and is a kidney transplant patient, did not look healthy, Terry said after the hearing. He added that he was glad to see that the Clark County jail had allowed his glasses to be delivered to him. The glasses had been an issue Terry brought up in earlier hearings before Boulder City Justice of the Peace Victor Lee Miller.

Rogers is set to appear before District Judge Michael Villani at 8 a.m. July 13 to set a trial date. Terry asked for the hearing date to allow time to ensure the grand jury transcripts are completed, he said.

Jean Reid Norman can be reached at 948-2073 or jean.norman@lasvegassun.com.

Discussion: 3 comments so far…

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By bcres

July 2, 2009

2:56 p.m.

Suggest removal

This guy has never worn glasses in his life and they are making a big deal that he didn't have them. I wonder what kind of image they are trying to portray. Not Guilty... they cant be serious.
By KillerB

July 3, 2009

9:23 a.m.

Suggest removal

bcres -- exactly how do you know this about his glasses?

And how many times have you been arraigned?
By vegas104

July 3, 2009

9:24 a.m.

Suggest removal

His defense is that he had no idea the kids were under age since he could not see them clearly...

Is this scumbag in General Population? I certainly hope so.