Former teacher pleads guilty to six felonies

The former Boulder City middle school teacher and foster parent accused of sexually assaulting and videotaping young boys pleaded guilty Tuesday to six felonies including sexual assault, lewdness and producing child pornography.

Charles Richard "Rick" Rogers, 47, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault of a minor under 14, three counts of lewdness with a child under 14, and one count of using a minor in producing pornography.

In graphic detail, Judge Michael Villani asked Rogers if he had committed the specific acts outlined by prosecutors. Rogers meekly answered 'yes,' as he stood shackled, dressed in prison garb.

All six counts carry life sentences. At minimum Rogers could be eligible for parole after 20 years.

Prosecutors retained the right to argue at sentencing.

As part of the plea agreement, the remaining charges, which numbered more than 60, were dropped.

Rogers faced dozens of felony charges when he was indicted by a grand jury in June 2009, including sexual assault, lewdness with a minor, possession of child pornography and other crimes against children.

His trial was set to begin Monday.

Authorities say Rogers sexually assaulted and molested several young boys from 1999 to 2009.

The victims, some as young as 6 and 7 years old, were seen in DVDs and photos performing various sex acts, according to court records.

Authorities knew the names of at least seven of his victims, but photos and videos of unidentified victims were also recovered by investigators.

Some of the videos show Rogers sexually assaulting and fondling the victims at his Boulder City house, according to court records.

Authorities said Rogers gained access to some of the boys by hosting sleep-overs at his home and that he either drugged them or plied them with alcohol.

Boulder City police began investigating Rogers a year ago after Henderson police received an envelope that contained child pornography and the teacher's lesson plan. A note with the envelope said the contents came from Rogers' home.

Rogers taught science at Garrett Middle School in Boulder City. He also taught at McCaw Elementary School and Taylor Elementary School in Henderson.

He held other positions of authority, including coaching youth soccer and working as an unpaid, part-time reserve officer for the Boulder City Police Department during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Rogers will remain jailed at the Clark County Detention Center until he is sentenced.

A hearing was scheduled for June 8.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or (702) 380-1039.