Child porn suspect also taught at two Henderson schools
Charles Rogers, a teacher at Garrett Middle School in Boulder City who is accused of sexually assaulting children and possessing child pornography, has taught at two other Clark County schools since 1992: McCaw and Robert Taylor elementary schools in Henderson.
He taught fourth grade at McCaw from 1992 to 2002 and at Robert Taylor from 2002 to 2006.
The Clark County School District released this information today at the request of the Review-Journal.
Boulder City police said they have not made an attempt to contact every student or young athlete who might have come into contact with Rogers over the years — including those who attended the two Henderson schools — because they want to “avoid a fishing expedition.”
Rogers has also coached soccer in Boulder City for 20 years with the city’s parks and recreation department.
School district officials said they are cooperating with police in the investigation and have deferred to the police about making information available to the public.
“It’s their discretion,” Superintendent Walt Rulffes said.
And following district personnel policy, they declined to provide further details about Rogers’ work record. They said they could not comment on whether any complaints were filed against him against during his 17-year career with the school district.
Boulder City Police Chief Thomas Finn said that aside from the enormity of such a notification task, police also do not want to stir up “false allegations.”
“We feel more comfortable if people come forward with the information,” Finn said, adding that he has asked families of potential victims to contact investigator Michelle Isham at 702-293-9376.
Terri Miller of Stop Educators Sexual Abuse, Misconduct and Exploitation, or SESAME, believes police have shown sensitivity and tact in not trying to contact every potential victim.
“This is a very traumatic thing for families to go through,” she said.
But she faulted educators for failing to adequately teach children on how to report sexual assault and harassment.
“They’re not defining teachers as potential perpetrators,” she said. “Children are very literal thinkers. If you don’t spell it out for them in black and white, they’re not going to understand.”
Rogers, 46, faces dozens of charges including possession of child pornography, sexual assault of a minor under 14 and use of a minor in producing pornography.
Prosecutors said Tuesday that videos taken from Rogers’ computers show the once-trusted coach and teacher performing sexual acts on children ages 6 to 12 years old who appear to be asleep or unconscious, possibly because of drugs or alcohol.
After an arraignment in Boulder City Justice Court on Tuesday, Rogers’ bail was set at $1.25 million. He is being held at the Clark County Detention Center. He has also been put on leave from the school district.
Like all employees, Rogers was subjected to a fingerprint and FBI background check before beginning his employment, a district spokesman said.
He began teaching for the district on Jan. 6, 1992, at McCaw, 57 Lynn Lane, near the intersection of Water Street and Basic Road.
In August, 2002, Rogers transferred to Robert Taylor, 144 Westminster Way, near Burkholder Boulevard.
Rogers taught there until August 2006, when he became a science teacher at Garrett, 1200 Avenue G, near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Adams Boulevard.
Contact reporter James Haug at jhaug@reviewjournal.com or 702-374-7917.