International Courant
A Las Vegas police officer was sentenced Tuesday to 12 years in federal jail for stealing almost $165,000 in a trio of on line casino heists, together with one through which he was discovered responsible of brandishing a department-issued weapon.
Caleb Rogers, who has been on unpaid suspension in a solo jail cell since his arrest almost 20 months in the past, apologized earlier than sentencing. His mom, Crystal Rogers, of Toledo, Ohio, instructed the choose that she was “not happy” however that her son had full household help.
Rogers, 35, brandished the gun throughout his arrest in February 2022 following a short wrestle with on line casino safety officers in a car parking zone not removed from the Las Vegas Strip. One guard was so shaken he stated he left the job shortly afterward and moved to a brand new line of labor altogether.
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Caleb Rogers, sporting eyeglasses, a beard and yellow jail clothes, along with his darkish hair pulled again in a brief ponytail, stated all he does whereas sitting alone in jail is consider “the impact that this has had on my household and everybody.”
“I do perceive my errors,” he stated, “and I pray for an opportunity at redemption.”
U.S. District Decide Andrew Gordon stated he understood that Rogers struggled with a playing dependancy and monetary troubles and credited him with service to the group.
Richard Pocker, Rogers’ lawyer, sought leniency, saying his consumer has a younger son, helped with a household ministry, assisted homeless folks and was an emergency medical technician earlier than changing into a Las Vegas police officer in 2015.
“It is ironic that his standing as a police officer ought to be a purpose to punish him extra harshly,” Pocker stated.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Division stated Tuesday that Rogers’ job standing shall be decided by an inside investigation that has not but been accomplished.
The choose sentenced Rogers to lower than a potential most of twenty-two years. He imposed a further three years of supervised launch after jail and ordered Rogers to pay $85,310 in restitution to the casinos.
Las Vegas police officer and now-convicted thief Caleb Rogers is seen in a Feb. 27, 2022, reserving picture. (Las Vegas Police Division through AP, File)
“You served your group effectively for a time,” Gordon instructed Rogers. “Sadly, it seems your demons received the higher of you.” As a substitute of looking for assist, the choose stated, Rogers dedicated armed theft.
Rogers was a patrol officer on the time of the heists, which focused casinos off the Strip starting in November 2021. A jury discovered Rogers responsible in July of all three robberies and an enhancement for brandishing the weapon, which added a compulsory seven years to Rogers’ sentence.
Pocker stated they may attraction the convictions and sentence to the ninth U.S. Circuit Court docket of Appeals in San Francisco. He known as the U.S. authorities’s proof linking his consumer to 2 of the robberies weak.
All through Rogers’ weeklong trial, prosecutors portrayed him as a playing addict who grew more and more determined beneath a crush of debt. They are saying he recruited his youthful brother to assist him rob a on line casino in Summerlin, an prosperous group in northwest Las Vegas.
Josiah Rogers testified beneath immunity from prosecution, recounting particulars of robbing a cashier on the Crimson Rock On line casino in November 2021.
He stated the brothers rehearsed for the pre-dawn theft, scoped out the property and used code phrases in an encrypted messaging app to speak their plans. Afterward, Josiah Rogers stated, they unfold the cash throughout the eating desk of their shared residence, counting out $73,810.
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Josiah Rogers stated he saved $30,000 and moved the next week again to their hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
Caleb Rogers additionally was convicted of additionally robbing the Aliante On line casino Resort Spa in North Las Vegas of about $11,500 on Jan. 6, 2022.
About seven weeks later, prosecutors stated Rogers stormed the Rio All-Suite Resort & On line casino’s sportsbook, shoved a cashier in her 60s out of his means and threatened to make use of a gun whereas he shoveled $79,000 right into a drawstring bag hidden inside his jacket.
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Inside minutes, Rogers was tackled by a bunch of safety guards exterior the on line casino, sending a wig he’d been sporting flying off his head. The cash in his jacket was recovered.
Las Vegas officer will get 12 years for position in 3 on line casino heists, stealing almost $165K
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