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Written by: E. George
Published March 30, 2023 @ 8:40 PM ET
Warning: The following story contains information regarding sexual violence against children.
Burke County (October 16, 2022) – Officers responded to a child molestation case, and the woman explained that she suspected her daughter had been molested by the child’s grandfather. She said she received a text message from her other daughter telling her to come home because something disturbing happened in the camper next door between the suspect and her mentally disabled nine-year-old sister.
She told her mother that her sister had been jumping on the trampoline beside James Edward Rogers‘ camper before entering the residence with the 65-year-old man. She said after some time had passed, the victim returned home crying hysterically.
Once she calmed her down, her sister stated that Rogers had “touched her privates with his fingers and showed her his peepee.” He said if she told anyone he touched her, “he would whoop her.”
Officers spoke with Rogers, who said the girls had not stepped “inside his camper all day.” After being asked again, he admitted that they came in and watched television with him for a while after jumping on the trampoline.
Rogers was arrested on March 17, 2023, and charged with rape, incest, child molestation, and five counts of misdemeanor sexual exploitation of children. This case is currently pending in court.
Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]
On Sunday, October 16th, 2022, at approximately at 1500 hours, I, Deputy Keelan Moore, responded to [200 BLOCK] Bran Terrace in reference to child molestation.
Upon arrival I spoke with the complainant, [WITNESS #1], who states she was at work when she received a text message from her daughter, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated something happened with her grandfather, James Rogers, and the victim [REDACTED BY AGENCY], and that she needed to come home.
Once [WITNESS #1] arrived on scene, she spoke with [REDACTED BY AGENCY] who stated that an incident occurred in James’s camper next door with [REDACTED BY AGENCY]. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] informed [WITNESS #1] that [REDACTED BY AGENCY], was outside jumping on the trampoline that is located beside James’s camper.
[REDACTED BY AGENCY] further stated, after jumping on the trampoline for a moment [REDACTED BY AGENCY] eventually went inside the camper with James by herself. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated [REDACTED BY AGENCY] came back to the home after some time had passed and was hysterically crying and once she could get her to calm down, [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that James touched her privates with his fingers and showed her his “peepee.”
[WITNESS #1] then spoke with her daughter [REDACTED BY AGENCY], at which time she also took a video of the conversation with her cell phone. [REDACTED BY AGENCY] stated that James told her, if she told anyone that he touched her, he would whoop her. Sgt. Johnson arrived on scene and entered the residence with [WITNESS #1] to speak to [REDACTED BY AGENCY].
Sgt. Johnson advised that [REDACTED BY AGENCY] provided the same story she told her mother. [WITNESS #1] then stated to Sgt. Johnson that she would like to speak to [REDACTED BY AGENCY], but advised Sgt. Johnson that she is mentally disabled. Once [REDACTED BY AGENCY] entered the kitchen she began crying and thought she was in trouble. Sgt. Johnson advised [WITNESS #1] to not upset [REDACTED BY AGENCY] anymore then she already was.
I spoke with Rogers separately outside and he stated the girls have not been inside his camper all day. I then asked Rogers again what happened for a second time and he stated the girls were jumping on his trampoline about 3 hours prior to my arrival and that the girls did come and watch the TV with him for a short period of time after jumping on the trampoline.
Sgt Johnson notified Lt. Kelly in CID and made him aware of the incident. Sgt. Johnson also advised all parties to stay separated until the situation is remedied.
[End of Narrative]
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